RESIDENTS have welcomed the launch of new maps which have opened the door on crime in Oxfordshire’s streets.

For the first time people can see what crimes have happened on their doorstep by logging on to the Internet to get access to street-level data and crime maps for offences including burglary, violence and antisocial behaviour.

They can also find out about their neighbourhood policing team and regular beat meetings at the touch of a button.

Last night, people in Oxford said residents had a right to know if crime was being committed in their area.

Stuart Craft lives in Emperor Gardens, Greater Leys, where six crimes were recorded in December, including one violent crime and two reports of antisocial behaviour.

He said: “Areas like ours have a bad reputation as it is.

“I’m not sure if this will make a difference, but I do think people have a right to know if they are living in a crime hotspot.

“If it allows the police to target an area of high crime better then it’s a good idea.”

In Beech Croft Road, Summertown, one ‘other crime’ – which covers criminal damage, shoplifting and drug offences – was reported along with one report of antisocial behaviour.

Resident Ted Dewan said: “It’s really interesting, I think it’s too early to tell what its impact will be. If house prices start to be linked to how many crimes are reported on the street it will be against the interest of home- owners to report crimes.”

There was mixed reaction to the data from the city’s estate and letting agents.

Mark Charter, a partner at Summertown-based Carter Jonas, said: “Prospective purchasers are going to look at them and in some areas of the city there is a danger the figures will cause people to have the wrong view of any area or location and it could colour their judgment about a house or road.”

The aim of the site is to help the public hold police to account for how well they are dealing with crimes and issues in their area.

Police spokesman Rebecca Webber said crime data was recorded as accurately as possible.

It was deliberately kept anonymous to protect victims and because of the sensitive nature of some crimes.

She said: “In areas where there are fewer than 12 properties crimes will be assigned to a location further away to maintain anonymity.

“Users of CrimeMapper need to bear in mind that the information provided reflects crime at or near to the location.”

She added: “Crimes and incidents are subject to audit to ensure accuracy and some data may change as a result of these audits.”

Det Insp Paul Miller, of Oxford Police, added: “I believe it will be an invaluable tool for people, and will shape the way Thames Valley Police is held to account by the public in neighbourhoods across Oxfordshire.”

Figures show 606 crimes were recorded in Oxford city centre in December, with about half classified as ‘other crime’.

In Blackbird Leys, 306 crimes were recorded, with more than a third classified as ‘other crime’, and 79 reports of antisocial behaviour.

In the same period in Summertown, there were 129 crimes, most of which were ‘other crime’, although there were 17 burglaries, 10 violent crimes and 25 incidents of antisocial behaviour.

The national site was launched by Home Secretary Theresa May and Policing Minister Nick Herbert on Tuesday.

It proved so popular that the site crashed on its first day because of thousands of people logging on.

  • To check out your area, see police.uk