New crime map of Paignton

A police website, unveiled to the public yesterday, allows the public to see crime levels in their immediate area.

People can key in their postcode or street name and they will be given information on what crime, if any, has occurred nearby in the past month.

Home Secretary Theresa May said the maps would give real facts and make police more accountable.

The website also lists your local policing staff and information, dates of forthcoming street surgeries and other information and advice.   

Keying in my postcode, in the Roselands area of Paignton, the website shows me some surprising figures, namely that there were three accounts of violent crime on the estate in December. (I can’t recall hearing about these though).

There were 21 reported instances of antisocial behaviour and two vehicle crimes as well.

In the town centre area of Paignton, for example, it is revealed that there were 31 reported instances of violent crime, 11 vehicle crimes and 80 instances of antisocial behaviour.

Have you had chance to try it out yet? What do people feel about such “transparent” policing?