Crime map shows street hotspots

The St Albans Street area in Rochdale has been shown to be the crime hotspot across the borough according to a new interactive map.

Residents will now be able to identify what streets are the crime trouble spots by accessing an online street-by-street guide to crimes in their area.

The site — which has been updated to include a street breakdown — compared with council ward data, shows there was one robbery, one burglary, 10 violent crimes, one vehicle crime and 17 other crimes committed on or around St Albans Street in December.

St Albans Street is closely followed by Channing Street where three burglaries, one anti-social behaviour incident, one robbery, seven violent crimes, four vehicle crimes and seven other crimes were committed in December.

Home Secretary Theresa May believes the guide will help local people hold their police to account.

It is the first time such detailed crime maps have been available for an entire country anywhere in the world.

Ms May said: “I think the public reaction will be positive. People are going to welcome the fact they can really see what’s happening with crime in their area, not just on their street but in their neighbourhood.

“I think they will feel a greater connection with the police, with much more information they can work with.

“Over time, it will have an impact on crime. This is about fighting crime together.”

Crime trends will also be established as the site develops and this could be extended to include details on the outcomes of court cases in the future.

Information on local police appeals and the date of the next police community meeting will also be published alongside the crime maps.

The Government has denied suggestions house prices could be affected by the data.

The Home Secretary added: “It’s not the existence of a map on a website that affects it.

“This is giving people a real tool, real power to see that something is being done about crime in their area.

“It will give them the real facts and figures.

“This will make the police more accountable.”

The site cost £300,000 to develop. For more information visit www.police.uk