Predator - Prey Model of Security Forces Versus Criminals in a Contemporary Ghanaian Community

Abstract

A Predator prey model is developed from the population dynamics of security forces versus criminals in a contemporary community.Using five major crime data covering the period of 2000 to 2010 from Ghana Statistical Service, two models were developed and a local stability analysis of the model after determination of the equilibrium points was investigated. With some assumptions, the parameters of the model are estimated and the simulation of the model for various scenarios using MATLAB is done.It was observed that, by analysing the same point in sequential phases and finding the time in between them the approximate periods of the phase plane cycle is found to be 12 months. The results obtained suggest that criminal activities persist if not the introduction of voluntary reinforcement.