Police go online to update crime

NEW crime maps showing offences committed in every neighbourhood reveal that crime has fallen slightly in Oldham.

All 43 forces across England and Wales are now publishing the internet maps, which show levels of burglary, car crime, robbery and other offences.

Graphs give the crime rates for Oldham with the division broken down into seven areas. A list of constables and PCSOs for each neighbourhood is also given.

But some forces were experiencing technical problems as the scheme went live yesterday.

In Greater Manchester the website was still in development and there were no figures for Oldham East or Oldham Town Centre.

But it showed that for the whole of the Oldham division there was an average of 1,830 crimes every month — down from 1,899 the previous year.

The monthly average of crimes over the past three months was 177 houseburglaries, up from 154; 37 robberies, up from 31; and 198 cases of violence against a person, up from 176.

But vehicle theft was 74, down from 77, theft from a vehicle was 206, down from 214 and anti-social behaviour 30, down from 35.

Police minister Vernon Coker said he hoped the maps would “empower” communities and help make the police more accountable.

He said: “Every single police force in England and Wales now has crime mapping. By empowering people with this information they are able to engage more with their neighbourhood policing teams. I am sure this will lead to an even more responsive and effective police, thoroughly in tune with people’s needs.”

Oldham Lib-Dem Councillor Mark Alcock, a member of Greater Manchester Police Authority, said: “Anything that gives the public more information has to be welcomed.”