This paper proposes to define a socio-spatial identity profile for potential hotspots of crime during periods of civil disobedience in London, United Kingdom. Focusing specifically on characteristics of street configurations within a 5-minute walking distance from incidents of riot-crimes, multiple methodologies are employed to investigate socio-economic and spatial features which may potentially encourage or discourage instances of illegality within the observed zones.
Through staggered analysis of constructed catchment areas, using both spatial and statistical data, patterns are identified and inter-ocular conclusions derived to form a deeper understanding of the constitution of space occupied by the London riots. It is hoped that this study may inform crime reduction strategies in the city in similar times of emergency.
The typical workflow for a geoprocessing tool is for it to perform an operation on a dataset and create a resulting output dataset. The addition of cartography algorithms refines geometries for map processing.
A visualisation of the concentration and spread of riots across London. At the top of the map, Tottenham, where the riots began, is highlighted as experiencing riots. The riots then appear to have followed down the industrial path towards central London with higher concentrations of crime appearing next to the Thames.
An elimination method was used via comparative analysis of choice radii for spatial analysis of the London riots. It appears a medium 1200m radius is the optimal value for riot location identification, especially as the riots occurred on foot, so the sprawl within areas was limited.