Pattern of Urban Crimes in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

 Urban crime is becoming more widespread and chronic in many of the world’s largest growing cities in Latin America, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the pattern of urban crimes committed in Lagos State, Nigeria. The theory of routine activities was used as the anchor for the study. Secondary data on crimes committed and reported to Lagos State Police Command from 2012 to 2017 were used as the basis for analysis. Most of the offences committed were against properties (37.3%), offences committed against persons (33.8%), other crimes not against persons and properties (18.0%), false pretenses and cheating (9.5%) and local act (1.3%). The means of crimes committed by male and female were 39,285.67 (84.1%) and 7,418.5 (15.9%) respectively. The results of a paired sample t-test (5.135) were significant even at 0.01 level. More than 95% (96.5%) of all the crimes were committed by adults (18 years and above), adolescents (14 -17 years) (2.7%) and juveniles (under 14 years) (0.8%). In reducing crime, the creation of enabling social, economic and physical environments that discourage criminal tendency and activities will be of great value.

Keywords: Pattern of Urban crimes, Offences committed, Gender-based crime