Prevalence, Patterns and Trend of Crime in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

High level of crime constitutes a serious threat to citizens' security in modern societies. Effective crime prevention and control requires evidence-based knowledge on its prevalence, patterns and trend. This paper analysed the prevalence, patterns and trend of crime in Jos metropolis between the year 2020 and 2021. Mixed research design that combined the use of quantitative secondary data with qualitative primary data was used. Secondary data was generated from ofcial crime statistics recorded at the Police State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Jos, between 2020 and 2021 while the primary data was generated from key informant interviews (KIIs) with 23 critical stakeholders in crime prevention and control across communities of Jos. The study found that major crimes relating to property such as theft, house breaking, store breaking and receiving stolen property as well as crimes against person such as grievous hurt, assault, and rape were prevalent and had increased in Jos metropolis within the period covered. It recommends that law enforcement agencies especially the police should channel their efforts to the hot spots of crime in the city and should target the period, place, season and time that these crimes occurred the most.