Online maps will show crime levels

The Crime Map, covering England and Wales, is intended to boost the public's confidence in the police service by giving people more information about crime where they live.

A click of the mouse allows users to zoom in on to any area they choose and find out about crime levels in that village, town or larger area selected.

The Home Office initiative gives the public immediate access to figures on all crimes and specifically burglary, robbery, violence, vehicle crime and anti social behaviour.

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

Policing and Crime Minister David Hanson MP explained: "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."

Steve Mortimore, deputy chief executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, (NPIA) added: "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."

The Crime Map website was developed by the NPIA and the Home Office.