Factors influencing the crime patterns among university students: case study of Makerere University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing crime patterns among University students taking Makerere University as a case study. The study had have the following objectives; to determine which crimes are most committed on university campus, to find out the predominant period of time at which criminal offences take place, to find out which sex is most affected by crime, to know which sex category is more involved in criminal offences, to know the location of crime. The study further provides an insight into the different categories of crime committed. The study applied quantitative methods of data collection using records from the offence books of the police at Makerere University Police Station. This study also applied statistical methods of data analysis were collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics tools such as frequencies, bar graphs, pie-charts, percentages, chi-square, to answer the different objectives. The findings of the study were; the highest committed criminal offence is Theft (66.7%). Majority of the criminal offenders are Males (95.0%). Majority of the victims of criminal offences are Males (71.7%). Majority of the crimes take place on campus (60.0%). Majority of the crimes take place between 21:00 – 22:00 hours (30.8%). There is no significant relationship between the sex of the offender and the crime committed at 5% level of significance evidenced by p-value of 0.5361. There is a significant relationship between the sex of the victim and the crime committed at 5% level of significance evidenced by a p-value of 0.0002. There is a significant relationship between crime committed and the location of the crime at 5% level of significance evidenced by p-value of 0.0009. There is a significant relationship between crime committed and the time period at which crime occurred at 5% level of significance evidenced by p-value of 0.0043. In conclusion, the crime happening on and off the University campus affects the university community in general comprised of students and staff. Safety is paramount for the University environment to function and accomplish the reasons for which it was established. Therefore, I recommend that the student be more vigilant in terms of being watchful for suspicious activity that could led to crime that the security operatives should also take it upon themselves to adequately caution students of crime and its various aspects as they give themselves to more patrols especially in evening and night hours. The Makerere administration should also institute systems and projects that make university environment safer for its occupants