A new interactive national map giving the public access to local statistics & details on neighbourhood policing in their area was launched last week by the Home Office and National Policing Improvement Agency. 

The online map will allow residents to view figures for all crime as well as burglary, robbery, violence, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour in their area ‘at the touch of a button’.

People can now compare one police area with another, compare figures over a 3-month period against the same period for the previous year and see annual crime rates. 

The public will also be able to see details of their neighbourhood police team, local policing priorities and information about forthcoming local events such as crime prevention meetings and local surgeries.

The website was developed by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) and police forces across England and Wales, on behalf of the Home Office.

Policing and Crime Minister David Hanson MP said:

“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.

“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.

“Neighbourhood police teams already serve every community in England and Wales and the Crime Map is another example of how we are building greater links between the police and the people they serve.”

NPIA Deputy Chief Executive Steve Mortimore, said:

“The national Crime Map is a vital step forward in giving the public more information about crime in their areas to increase confidence in the service they receive from the police.

“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 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.

“We are proud that the new national Crime Map has been developed quickly and cost-effectively by the NPIA, working closely with forces and at no cost to them.”

The Crime Map builds on the Policing Pledge, which sets out what the public can expect from their local force and how they can get involved in policing.

It is the latest in a series of innovations over the last few years that puts the public at the heart of the fight against crime and disorder and supports the Government’s Building Britain’s Future strategy.

Other recent measures include reducing bureaucracy and increasing efficiency throughout the police service to increase the number of more front-line police officers, as well as more neighbourhood policing and collaboration between the police, local councils, health bodies and schools to deliver improved services.

Mr Hanson and Mr Mortimore were speaking during a visit to the Clapham Park Project in Brixton, a New Deals for Communities (NDC) group working on regeneration of the local area via crime prevention and youth activity work. While there they saw a demonstration of the Crime Map website, met local residents, Neighbourhood Police teams and toured the local area.