Member News
A new interactive national map allowing the public to compare crime figures across England and Wales has been launched by the Home Office.
The 'crime map' is designed to boost public confidence in the police by providing more information on crime in their area.
Alongside being able to see if crime is rising or falling, visitors to the site will be able to contrast with other parts of the country and compare figures over three month and 12-month periods.
People will be also be able to view figures for total crime in each area as well as burglary, robbery, violence, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.
"Crime maps are a key part of delivering neighbourhood policing and giving communities access to information like this not only improves public confidence but ensures police are responding to local people’s needs,” said policing and crime minister David Hanson.
"We know the public want this information, which will allow them to hold the police to account and help create an even more responsive and effective service."
Steve Mortimore, deputy chief executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, added:
"Fear of crime is known to outstrip the reality. The crime map will give people the facts about local crime and what forces are doing about it.
"It is a crucial way of improving the efforts to tackle local crime, since communities that are involved in policing help reduce crime and bring more offenders to justice."
Developed by the National Policing Improvement Agency for the Home Office, the crime map builds on the policing pledge, which sets out what the public can expect from their local force.
When local crime maps were introduced in January, the Police Federation of England and Wales voiced concerns that the maps may lead to crime hotspots, encouraging criminal intelligence.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd