Unraveling Crime in Kolkata: A Socio-economic Perspective

Crime and criminality are global concerns that pose significant risks to societal well-being and quality of life. In the context of urban environments, a multifaceted comprehension of the precise socio-economic factors contributing to criminal behavior becomes imperative for the formulation and implementation of effective policies. Although Kolkata is considered a safe city, recent reports from the National Crime Records Bureau highlight an increase in crimes against women, placing Kolkata as the second highest in West Bengal. The crime rate in the city has witnessed a substantial 63.46% increase over the past 3 years, categorized as “high” on the rating scale. Limited information exists regarding the spatial and temporal distribution of crimes in Kolkata. This research seeks to examine the spatiotemporal trends of various crimes, including murder, theft, snatching, drugging, pickpocketing, and crime against women, through the application of geoinformatics and geostatistics. The research also seeks to identify the relative impacts of socio-economic parameters on crime rates. The study reveals a significant temporal change in crime patterns over 30 years. Major findings of this research are the substantial influence of higher population density and increased poverty levels on pickpocketing and snatching incidents. The analysis also underscores the pivotal roles of illiteracy and unemployment in murder cases, with broader implications for theft and drugging. Additionally, illiteracy and poverty emerge as influential factors impacting crime against women.