An interactive crime map

An interactive crime map that allows members of the public to compare offending rates in neighbourhoods across England and Wales has been launched online.

The Crime Map colour-codes areas based on the level of reported crime and gives detailed information on the rate of burglaries, robberies, violent and vehicle crimes, and other anti-social behaviour.

The service is intended to boost confidence in local policing by giving the public a clearer picture of the level of offending where they live.

It was developed by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) along with 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."

The interactive map allows users to zoom in on any area of England or Wales and find out about crime levels in their village, town, city or region.

Residents can also use the map to compare one police area with another, assessing crime figures over a three-month period against the same period for the previous year.

Steve Mortimore, deputy chief executive of the NPIA, 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 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."

From: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091020/tuk-online-maps-let-public-compare-crime-45dbed5.html