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Hotspotting is a term used to describe the practice of identifying and focusing resources on geographical areas that exhibit a high incidence of crime. This approach is a component of place-based crime prevention strategies, which posit that crime is not evenly distributed but rather concentrated in specific locations. By concentrating police patrols, community outreach programs, and other interventions in these "hotspots," the aim is to disrupt criminal activity and deter future offenses.

The concept of hotspotting is rooted in routine activity theory and crime pattern theory, which suggest that crime occurs when a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian converge in time and space. Hotspotting efforts often involve data analysis to identify these high-crime areas, which can be defined by factors such as street blocks, specific addresses, or larger geographic zones. Once identified, these areas become the focus for targeted interventions.

Evaluation studies on hotspotting strategies have yielded mixed results, with some indicating a reduction in crime in targeted areas, while others have found more modest or no significant effects. The effectiveness of hotspotting can depend on various factors, including the specific tactics employed, the duration of the intervention, and the characteristics of the community. Critics sometimes raise concerns about the potential for increased surveillance and the risk of displacing crime to adjacent areas rather than eliminating it entirely. Despite these considerations, hotspotting remains a widely used strategy in policing and crime prevention efforts globally.