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By News Editor Declan Wilkes Mayor Boris Johnson, flanked by London's top cops, today launched police mapping. Serious crime data on offences such as muggings, burglary and motor theft can now be shown at the sub-ward level to five/six streets or 400 residences. The £210,000 interactive site was a key pledge in Johnson's manifesto and now "puts pressure on police" and "helps to reduce crime".
Increases accountability and tackles the 'perception of crime'
Users can also report crime and be directly connected to their Safer Neighborhood policing team. Johnson said it "increased accountability." By making the stats on reported crime public Johnson and Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson of 'shut up and get on with the job' fame, said it would help inform people's 'perception of crime.' and: "...we have found that in some cases Londoners' perception of crime is higher than the reality and the crime maps may help to reassure communities about the general safety of their local area."
Ghettoising
Stephenson dismissed fears of 'ghettoising' areas with high crime rates, saying that people already knew where these places were. Johnson said "the truth was more important." Data on crimes solved and cases that have gone to court are not available. Problems with the Information Commissioner were resolved, but the Mayor admitted that expansion of the data could be hindered by privacy issues. Stephenson said it was important not to “revictimise victims.”
Misleading?
Only Met data is included, crimes reported to the City of London and British Transport Police are not included. As much crime stills goes unreported, the Met hopes that this new service will result in more people coming forward. Average data is represented by the number of residents, meaning an area like Westminster, who has a high number of tourists who may be victims of crime - raises the crime average for that area. Just as if police launched a particular operation or raid. Check your area's crime rate here: http://maps.met.police.uk/
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