REGIONAL CRIME MAPS...
These are new tools...launched in January, 2009. You should be able to find them on your local Police Force website or go to: http://maps.police.uk
You can type in your Postcode or the Postcode of the area you are interested in and a Map of the Local Area appears with information about crime...whether it is above or below average for the force. The information is shown as percentages or actual numbers. It compares what is happening now with what happened 12 months ago, over a 3 month period, for a range of different crimes. Once you have looked at the percentages, you should look at the actual numbers of crimes as, where actual number are low, percentage increases and decreases can be exaggerated. For example a 33% increase in crime may actually mean that last year there were 3 crimes and this year there are 4.
It is always important to consider the trend. Are things improving or getting worse, as opposed to a snapshot of the situation at one time.
Neighbourhood Statistics
This is a very useful site which brings together lots of facts and figures and then maps it to a local neighbourhood. Once again you can type in your Postcode on the right hand side and it will take you into the statistics for your local area. The Country has been divided in to 32,482 'Super Output Areas'...each with approximately 1500 people in it. Have a look at the map and check out whether the area you are looking at is the area you think of as 'your' neighbourhood. In Towns and Cities the super output areas can be very small and you may live on the edge of one and be concerned about information for the one next door.
www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk
Fix My Street
This is an intereactive website where you can report issues affecting your area. Once again you start with a Postcode and a Map will appear. You can then report your concern in a short statement. The site sends your report to the relevant Local Council within a few minutes. It also sends you an email saying it has been done and asking you to keep 'Fix My Street' informed of what happens. After a few weeks 'Fix My Street' will email you again to ask you to update them on whether the problem was resolved!
People have reported dumped cars, noisy motorbikes, litter. graffiti, potholes...all sorts of issues. You can also check out what other reports have been made near you, as well as sign up to receive updates from the website when anyone reports anything in 'your' area. This tool is used by some councillors and could be useful to know what other people's concerns are locally.
NATIONAL CRIME MAPPING...here you can access tabulation tools to allow you to directly manipulate data-sets of 'UK Crime Figures'. If required, allows you to view results in the form of charts or tables...
London Crime Information: www.spotcrime.com/uk/london
A-Z of Comprehensive Crime Information: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/a-zsubjects.html
Worldwide 'clickable Crime maps' is available to view here:- www.SpotCrime.com/worldwide.php
STATISTICS...The Home Office Crime Reduction website contains a range of Statistics on Crime which practitioners may find useful. Links to Crime in England & Wales...National Statistics as well as International Crime Statistics...Anti-Social Behaviour: www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/sta_index.htm
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MAPPING UK's TEENAGE MURDER TOLL...more than 70 teenagers were violently killed in the United Kingdom during 2008. This information has been gathered by the BBC from Police Forces around the UK on every reported case of Murder & Manslaughter (Homicide) in the 10-19 age group. This link will take you to a full list since 1st January, 2008...many cases are still being investigated or prosecuted by Police, but where there has been a Conviction, this is reported.
Also, up-to-date information including Victims of Domestic Violence and straightforward Assault, as well as Gang Related Deaths.
You will also be able to see a UK Map with icons to take to the locations/street where the incident took place, along with detailed data/statistics (Age/Gender/Cause/Day of the Week/Ethnicity):-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7777635.stm
E. & O.E.