The Hotspot Matrix: A Framework for the Spatio-Temporal Targeting of Crime Reduction

The growth of intelligence-led policing has placed even greater emphasis on the clear identification of crime hotspots as well as the choice of the crime reduction or detection strategy identified to combat a problem. Crime hotspots are becoming central to policing strategy in many locations, as they enable an operational commander to focus resources into the areas of highest need. This paper outlines the techniques used to identify the spatial and temporal components of crime hotspots, and utilizes these methods to identify three broad categories of temporal hotspot and three broad categories of spatial hotspot. These categories are described in the form of a Hotspot Matrix. Real examples show how the spatial and temporal characteristics combine within the hotspot matrix, and the paper concludes by showing how operational commanders and crime prevention practitioners might employ the hotspot matrix to determine an appropriate prevention or detection strategy.