Police.uk reveals crime hotspots

Home Office update popular website

The police statistics website police.uk has been expanded to provide more detailed information on localised police performance. The site has received over 430 hits since it first launched in February this year and has further plans to provide the public with the means to track the progress of a crime once it has been reported.

Crime in Cardiff

Reported instances of crime in Caroline Street, September 2011:

Anti-social behaviour – 17

Burglary – 1

Public Disorder and Weapons – 8

Violent Crime – 6

Criminal Damage and Arson – 1

Shoplifting – 3

Other Theft – 17

Despite receiving 5 million hits an hour on its first day online, the site has received criticism for it’s crime maps which can only approximate the location of specific crime. It also appears that enabling users to compare the performance of their local force against others in the UK will put more pressure on officers.

Police budget cuts

Having suffered a 5.7% budget cut due to revised Government funding, the South Wales Police Authority are under increasing pressure to reduce anti-social behaviour. Police are encouraging Cardiff clubs to introduce fingerprint scanners to keep out customers who cause trouble.

Problem areas highlighted by Home Office website

Caroline Street witnessed 17 instances of anti-social behaviour in September 2011

Changes made to the Government’s crime mapping website last week will enable users to access detailed information about criminal activity in local areas.

In changes to the Home Office run site police.uk, street-by-street data on anti-social behaviour has been made readily available and has already identified areas such as Caroline Street as having a large number of offenses.

The website, which aims to make UK policing more transparent, has been popular since launching in February but has received criticism for offering sensationalist figures.

Director of Cardiff’s Soda Bar, Nick Pratt believes the new website will serve little purpose besides making headlines.

“The Police and the public know that certain city centre areas have issues with anti-social behaviour”, says Nick. “The only people to benefit from these stats are the press.”