The government has launched a new web based system which allows residents to track the number of crimes committed in their street and neighbourhood. The site allows residents who input a postcode to see at street level how many incidents had been reported.

The site can be accessed by clicking here police.uk

The site tells us something about the crime trends in the Dringhouses area. Taking the neighbourhood within 1 mile of Dringhouses School as an example.

In August (the most recent stats available) 220 incidents were reported. Of these the vast majority were anti social behaviour (106 incidents) followed by violent crime (28) criminal damage (24) and other theft (20). Moor Lane was one problem area.

In July the equivalent figures had been 197 total incidents of which 102 were complaints about anti social behaviour, 29 about violent crime and 18 about criminal damage. Chaloner’s Crescent was the most frequently reported location.

The site also tells us what the outcome was of the police intervention.

In August 29 suspects were charged with offences. In 1 case an offender had been sent to prison.

All in all this is a welcome initiative and one that will improve transparency for residents. It has been welcomed by North Yorkshire Police http://t.co/928vdo4I

It is an approach which contrasts sharply with the attitude of the City of York Council which point blank refuses to provide taxpayers with information which they may find useful (such as bus service reliability data) but which may cast the local authority in a poor light.