BBC report that govt will build maps to show local crime
BBC NEWS | Politics | Online maps to show local crime
An NGO ("crime and communities") advisor has written a reasonable review looking at reactions from the 'community' re. crime.
The headline on the news site is great, but I only see vague recommendations re. online crime stats, and no solid proposals to, say, engage MySociety et al and release this information in an easily usable format.
I've scan-read the report "Engaging communities in fighting crime", and found this section on online crim stats maps
"With advances in mapping technology, there are several examples of crime information available on websites that allow the public to bring up crime information mapped onto a neighbourhood."
"Mapping and interactive reporting tools are useful and careful consideration should be given to their development and presentation. We believe some consideration should also be given to standardising the information they provide on crime, based on best practice, so that consistent types of information are presented to the public in a recognisable and user-friendly format. While the focus of existing sites is local, some consideration should also be given comparisons between areas. An end aim could be to ensure that information is available on a national basis, consistent between areas. This would raise the profile of such information with the public – and a consistent format would make sense to a more mobile population."
Here's hoping that this section of the report is acted upon, and the govt simply provide this data in a decent format, allowing for information mashups ala Chicago Crime .
UPDATE: Got an email from someone involved with SpotCrime, which seems to be a mashup of news sites (mainly US, but they have a London site, linked) with google maps.
Interesting, and very up to date, as it pulls in news reports, rather than the retrospective data of say, Everyblock.
Some manipulable graphs of histroical data would be a fantastic tool for urban planners, local councils, prospective and current residents...I bet most places have far less crime, than perceived, and would make for a useful community reassurance tool.
