Street Level Crime and Local Policing Information published today

People across Surrey will now be able to see what crime and antisocial behaviour (ASB) is happening on their streets, thanks to new information published today via www.police.uk

By typing in a postcode, people can immediately see what crime and ASB has happened in their area and are given ways to contact their local policing team. They can also see what their team is doing to make their area safer.

Chief Constable Mark Rowley said: “Surrey Police has today joined-up with all other police forces in England and Wales to launch a new tool that will help communities to better understand what’s happening on their streets.

“By making this information available, we aim to raise awareness of what we’re doing to tackle crime and disorder and how local people can support their local police.”

In addition to information about crime and antisocial behaviour, the interactive national map gives the public access to details about their neighbourhood policing team, beat meetings and their recent activity and action.

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

Contact details and feedback channels for local policing teams, local policing priorities, crime prevention advice and information about forthcoming local events such as beat meetings will also be published to the site.

Neighbourhood teams in Surrey have been in place for the last seven years and have become an established part of policing the county.

They hold regular panel meetings, surgeries and engagement events and the force hopes access to this new information will encourage the public to engage more with their local officers and continue to help set the priorities for their neighbourhood teams.

Research published by the National Policing Improvement Agency shows people trust local police information, especially the combination of crime maps and local crime information. It also challenges the myth that sharing such information with the public increases fear of crime.

Publication of the new information forms a key part of the new Coalition Government’s drive to make policing more democratically accountable to the public. The new site was developed by the National Policing Improvement Agency on behalf of the Home Office and involved close collaboration between all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. To see the new website, go to www.police.uk

2. The National Policing Improvement Agency is a single national organisation created to support effective policing. It provides expertise in areas as diverse as information and communications technology, support for information and intelligence sharing, core police processes, managing change and recruiting, developing and deploying people. NPIA works for the police service and is governed by a tripartite board comprising ACPO, APA, Home Office and independent members.

3. For further information contact the Home Office press office on 020 7035 3535 or NPIA press office on 020 3113 7229 or Surrey Police Media Relations Office on 01483 632000.

Call 0845 125 2222 for all non-emergency policing matters.

Call 999 if you have a genuine emergency requiring the attendance of the police (eg a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger).

Call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information about crime and don't want to leave your name.