الملخص الإنجليزي
The overall aim of this study is to investigate the demographic and spatial characteristics of crime in the governorate of Muscat. It intend to build a geographic database for crimes that helps to produce digital maps to explain spatial and temporal variations of the crime. The study sheds light on the issue of crime as a phenomenon among the Omani society. Where the incidence of crime rate in the Sultanate of Oman indicates that one crime is committed every 20 minutes, an average of 73 crimes every day, 511 crimes every week and 2217 crimes per month according to Royal Oman Police statistics in 2013. Studying crime geographically is of the high importance, because it helps to understand the crime patterns and facilitate better engagement.
The study methodology is based on descriptive and analytical approach, it has employed different methods of data collection within the field work to get adequate primary data, namely interviews and questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered for a sample of 20% of prisoners. In addition, the study also relied on secondary data sources from government agencies. Population data collected form National Center for Statistics and Information from census data belong to 2010, which represents the smallest spatial unit. Crime data for year 2008 and 2013 obtained from Royal Oman Police by the Directorate General of Inquiries and Investigations, and drug crime data for the year 2013 from the Directorate General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Spatial data were collected from Muscat Municipality and it is in Shapefile format. The software used in this study were ArcMap GIS, Excel, SPSS.21 and ERDAS.
Study results, is manifested in the production of digital crime maps, which show the spatial variations of crimes. Results also indicated that crimes were linked to specific demographic characteristics such as age, gender, educational status and income. For example, more crimes were committed among males than females. As well as the high number of crimes committed by Omani comparing to expatriates. In 2008, Omani committed 61.8% of crimes while expatriates committed 38.2%. In 2013, the
percentage decline to 51% among Omani, accordingly the expatriate's percentage increased. Moreover, results show that most crimes occurred in the same area where offenders live in.
The study came up with several recommendations for example, geographers researchers should be encouraged to conduct studies that highlight the geographical dimensions of crime, this component is so essential in fighting crimes. Crimes statistics should be registered in a unified and integrated geographical database in all the governorates divisions in the Sultanate of Oman, which helps to draw accurate detailed maps and will facilitate an in-depth research on crimes. Efforts is needed in areas where crime rates were high in Muscat governorate in order to prevent them. The study proposes some projects and programs directed to community involvement.
