Mapping the unseen: Dissecting property crime dynamics in urban Malaysia through spatial analysis

Abstract Extensive research over the years has illuminated how urban land use and development intricately influence property crime dynamics. Yet, there remains a notable paucity of simultaneous explorations of spatial–temporal patterns and their correlation with urban geography. This study aims to bridge this gap by employing advanced spatial analytical techniques, providing a nuanced understanding of how property crime is distributed and how it evolves within the urban fabric of Malaysia. This research rigorously investigates the spatial–temporal patterns of property crime within the urban context of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor in Malaysia, utilizing a novel combination of mean center and standard deviational ellipse methodologies. Concentrating on the regions of Selangor, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, and the Federal Territory of Putrajaya, the study meticulously analyzes property crime data spanning from 2015 to 2020. This analysis uncovers pivotal insights into the distribution and trends of criminal activities. The integration of these spatial analytical techniques not only facilitates the identification of prevalent hotspots and directional tendencies in property crimes but also probes into their association with urban land use and developmental patterns. The outcomes of this study shed light on the intricate interplay between the incidence of crime and urban spatial configurations, thereby yielding significant theoretical and practical ramifications. The research makes a substantial contribution to the disciplines of criminological geography and urban planning, underscoring the indispensable role of advanced spatial analysis in devising robust crime prevention mechanisms and bolstering the safety of urban environments.