New
Interactive Local Crime Maps in Every Area
Every neighbourhood in England and Wales will
have access to the latest local crime information through new interactive
crime maps, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced on 28th July.
The rollout of interactive crime maps follows the announcement made by
the Home Secretary earlier this month, as part of the Policing Green Paper,
that every police force in the country has now delivered monthly crime
information to the public on their websites. New interactive crime maps
will take the rollout of local crime information to the next level.
By the end of the year every police force area will produce crime maps
which will allow the public to:
* see where and when crime has happened, down to street level for some
crimes;
* make comparisons with other areas; and
* learn how crime is being tackled by their local neighbourhood policing
team.
The new maps will give the public the information they need to hold their
local police force to account. The maps will communicate to the public
how they can get involved in setting local policing priorities to reduce
the crime that matters to them in their area.
Home Secretary Jacqui 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. I want to congratulate
the West Midlands police force for being among the first to develop this
new tool.'
The Home Secretary made the announcement on a visit to Brierley Police
Station in the West Midlands to see a demonstration of local crime maps
in action. The Home Secretary met local people to discuss how the maps
will encourage them to engage with local police to tackle crime in their
area. The force will be among the first to introduce the interactive maps
when an updated version of its crime mapping website launches in September.
Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on Policing Futures,
Sir Norman Bettison said:
'My own Police Authority in West Yorkshire started, two years ago, to
make available crime mapping data to keep the public informed about local
incidents and trends. This fulfils the key responsibility to give information
to communities in order that they can see the real level of crime and
help the police to address it. This neighbourhood picture has provided
reassurance for many people about the ability of the police to tackle
crime in their local area. Given this positive response from the public,
ACPO supports the roll-out of this facility nationally and will be assisting
the Home Office in taking it forward.'
