The effect of altitude and slope on the spatial patterning of burglary

Physical geography is significant for crime, and its presence or absence, yet no studies have investigated the relationship between crime and certain broader features of physical geography such as altitude, and slope. In this study I attempt to fill this gap by using OLS and geographically weighted regression to gauge the effect of altitude and slope on burglary patterns in Tshwane, South Africa. In the analysis I found considerable evidence that residing at a greater altitude reduces your risk of burglary victimization, although residing on steeper slopes had no effect. In the discussion I argue that the underlying relief and terrain on which neighborhoods are built should form an essential ‘physical’ component of the environmental backcloth that surrounds offenders and influences their spatial decision making processes.

► I investigate the effect of broader features of physical geography on burglary rates.
► The greater the altitude the lower your risk of burglary victimization.
► Slope has no effect on the spatial patterning of burglary.
► Physical geography should be considered as a central organizing feature of burglary and its absence or presence.