Mapping for the Masses - www.beatcrime.info
Malachi Rangecroft and Fiona Crosby
May 2006
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The Role of Police Authority
Represent the interests of all local people, businesses and
communities in its work with West Yorkshire Police to
secure the maintenance of an efficient, effective and locally
accountable police force.
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Why was the site developed?
 British Crime Survey 2004/05 - 6% fall in crime compared to
2003/04
 Reduced risk of becoming a victim
 However, 61% of the public believed that crime in the country as a
whole had increased in the previous two years.
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Why was the site developed?
 An appetite for information at a local level
 Help address difference between perception of crime levels and
reality
‘To deliver a source of crime information to the public that informs them of the
extent and nature of crime in their locality and stimulates them to engage with
both the Authority and the Force activities that will contribute towards the
reduction of crime and fear of crime.’
Chair, West Yorkshire Police Authority
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The Site - Demo
(requires Internet Access)
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Technical Beatcrime.info
 What makes Beatcrime.info tick?
¾ Work undertaken in partnership with
a custom automated process
to create
¾ Other coding & the website design were written in-house
¾ The data is then pushed out to our external web host suppliers
¾ The site is updated by around the 15th of each month
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How was the site developed?
 Working Group
¾ Force and Authority Representatives
 Market Research
¾ In-depth interviews with
• the public
• Officers and PCSOs
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Market Research
 The Concept
¾ Reflects well on police – willingness to share information
‘ We don’t get the true picture, we want
to know what’s going on in our area
rather than just relying on stories from
the press.’
Beatcrime customer feedback
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Market Research
 The Concept
 Visual appeal
¾ The map
Over The Last 12 Months
Leeds City Centre
Vehicle Crime
Apr 06
In This Area
Total For This
Area
25
200
For Every 1000 Population
In this Area
In This District
In West Yorkshire
20
25
39
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Market Research
 The Concept
 Visual appeal
 Understanding
¾ Police talk
translated
¾ Definitions of crime
types provided
¾ Easy stats
¾ FAQs
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Market Research
 The Concept
 Visual appeal
 Understanding
 Level of detail
¾ Focus on the crime types of
most interest
¾ But don’t overwhelm people
Which crime type
would you like to see?
Burglary Dwelling
Vehicle Crime
Serious Violence
Other Violence
Youth Nuisance
Anti-Social Behaviour
Criminal Damage
Drug Offences
Theft and Handling
Etc
Etc
Etc
Etc
Etc
Etc
Etc
À
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Market Research
 The Concept
 Visual appeal
 Understanding
 Level of detail
 Impact on perceptions of crime
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Marketing Campaign
 Mail outs to stakeholders
 Flyers
 Public meetings
 Local radio
 Posters
 Business cards
 Bus ads
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The Bus Ads
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The Achievements
 40,000 hits in the first 12 months
 In excess of 2,000 visitors per month
 Improved profile of WYP and WYPA
 Efficient production of information
 Internal reference tool
 Supports Neighbourhood Policing agenda
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Positive Customer Feedback
‘You are to be congratulated
for the improvements being
made and the transparency of
the information.’
‘Very clear and easy to
understand.’
‘It’s good to get a proper idea of
what’s going on in your
neighbourhood.’
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Press Headlines
Yorkshire Post
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Press Headlines
Beatcrime Website Connects Police and Public
West Yorkshire Police Authority has already taken steps to
improve the level of information available to the public with launch
of the Beatcrime website, which allows users to find out
information about crime in their local area.
Crime Reduction News
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Future Developments
 Where is beatcrime heading?
¾ Interactive Link to our Neighbourhood Police Team web site
¾ Interactive mapping
¾ Site Growth
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Neighbourhood Police Team Site
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Where is Beatcrime.info heading?
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Where is Beatcrime.info heading?
Crim Damage:
24-May-2006
X
“VEHICLE WHICH IS PARKED LOCKED &
SECURED ON ROAD SIDE. BY USING
MEANS OF SPRAY PAINT GRAFFITI ON
PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE”
TO PROTECT AGAINST CRIM DAMAGE
CLICK HERE
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Where is Beatcrime.info heading?
North Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police
Humberside Police
South Yorkshire Police
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Where is Beatcrime.info heading?
 If you are looking to do the same thing…
Â…we can Help!
 Contact via beatcrime email address:
beatcrime@wypa.pnn.police.uk
 Required Data includes:
– Individually mapped out beat boundaries
– Geocoded crime & incident types
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Any Questions?
Contact Details:
beatcrime@wypa.pnn.police.uk
Fiona Crosby (w) 01924 294 032
fc1@wypa.pnn.police.uk
Malachi Rangecroft (w) 01924 292 093
mr116@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
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