Member News
The home secretary has pledged that the public will get greater access to crime data via new interactive maps.
Jacqui Smith was on Monday visiting the West Midlands, where the local police force has been among the first to develop the new tool.
She said that by the end of this year every police force area will produce maps which will allow the public to see where and when offences have occurred, including down to street level for some crimes.
The system will also allow citizens to make comparisons with other areas and provide information on how crime is being tackled by their neighbourhood policing team.
Smith said: "The public are the best weapon for fighting crime. By rolling out up-to-date, interactive crime maps we can better inform people about crime problems in their area and enable them to have much more of a say in what their local police focus on.
"This will help increase public confidence in the police and make communities safer.
"The latest annual crime figures showed another drop in crime nationwide but it's important that people understand what this means to them in their local area and where challenges remain.
"We are working with the Association of Chief Police Officers to bring in the best police and government expertise to roll out local crime maps in every neighbourhood by the end of the year."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd