Quite a few commentators have been discussing the new police website, reported on the BBC here, which shows crime reports in your area.
Needless to say I had a quick search myself – its intriguing to see what crimes have been reported but also unsatisfying as you don’t get told anything about them.
For example about half way up a road fairly close to my house there are three crimes noted, an anti social behaviour, a robbery and a violent crime. Are they all connected to the same incident I wonder or are they all completely separate? Inevitably many of the ASB crimes are found near the pubs.
Landlords it seems are concerned about this new service as if a lot of crimes are reported, it may, they think, put people off renting in their area.
I was also amused to read here that
many commentators are worried that crimes may go unreported as residents don’t want their area tainted by rising crime figures.
A variant of the NIMBY mentality perhaps. Or could this be part of a cunning plan by the authorities to reduce the number of crimes reported, and so improve the statistics? What do you think?
`Very interesting. I wonder if tenants will suss out their area before moving in as the article suggests. I can imagine agents and savvy landlords bigging up an area with low crime as a selling point but that will automatically highlight the worst area too.
Having said that, when you live in an area you know the best and worst places and the rents already reflect that anyway by mutual agreement. In London a simple postcode, that may in reality only be 500 yards away can add or remove a couple of hundred quid on a rent.
Also, ifyou know certain places you can see why certain crimes are grouped together. fights outside night clubs, that sort of thing, which doesnt automatically suggest that the area is dangerous. The ‘Other Crimes’ heading is a bit misleading too
I obviously put my post code into the site and was very surprised at the unexpectedly (comparatively) low level of crime in Peckham, which is next door to me. General perception is that you take your life in your hands going shopping. When I checked out Taunton, where several friends and family members live they have more crime incidents there. Which is great, given the ribbing I get from them about my Manor!!!