DUBAI // Dubai Police have designed a system to predict when and where crimes might occur.
Crime prediction analysis would be a key tool in fighting crime and increasing police presence in areas in need of it, said Brig Kamel Al Suwaidi, director of operations.
“This system was created from scratch and solely by Dubai Police, and it is considered to be the first of its kind in the region,” he said. “We designed it based on our needs and specifications and using our own sources of information and data.”
In 2014, Dubai Police started working on the system which uses an algorithm based on international organisations’ 20-year-long research.
“We thankfully live in a country that has a very low crime rate, but we are always looking to be the most advanced force and country. And this system will help us to further decrease the crime rates,” Brig Al Suwaidi said.
On Tuesday, Dubai Police demonstrated how the system could provide useful information by retrieving and analysing data about the Mirdif neighbourhood within a three-month period last year.
Between October 1 and December 31, there were 2,630 incidents in that area. Of those, 29 were thefts from homes. Using the data forecast, police were able to identify the next possible area of thefts.
The prediction was proven to be accurate, as an incident was reported very close to where the system indicated, said Brig Al Suwaidi, adding that the system would also be used for traffic problems.
He voiced confidence that the system would benefit the public and the police.
Dubai Police chief Lt Gen Khamis Al Muzeina, who died last month, supported such technologically-driven initiatives.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
