Data sources

Data Sources

Data can be used for a range of crime prevention purposes including identifying :

• focus areas (Hot Spots) for crime

• offender profiles

• potential crime & disorder partners

• timing of offences

• unreported crime

• virtual communities

• vulnerable groups or areas

• vulnerable properties

There is a vast range of potential data sources available to partnerships, which can be used to inform analysis of Crime and Disorder problems and provide more clearly directly interventions, taking account of available resources. The simple process of collection data and clearly explaining what the information is required for and what possible interventions may result from possible finding can raise awareness and assist in the process of mainstreaming community safety.

The nature of information held by a public body is often similar, to that held by other public bodies but it is gathered for different purposes and so is often recorded in different ways. It is not unusual for a large organisation to be unsure of exactly how much data it stores, or where, how and why it stores it.

It is understandable for Housing, for example to be uncertain how the data they hold could be usefully matched to records from police computers, not all of which may be relevant. This underlines the need to mainstream community safety and to engage as many relevant departments as possible in establishing relevant data sources.

Information sharing enables agencies to combine data resources and use different types of data to create a more accurate or clearer picture of what is going on in an area. The ability to 'mix and match' different data sets and to join or overlay information from a range of agencies can lead to the identification of different variables.

For example, an area with a high volume of empty or derelict housing may correlate directly with high levels of burglary, criminal damage, arson or vehicle crime. Identifying these variables can help to identify and develop a case for measures, needed to reduce crime and disorder in that area. The result of this process may indicate how the problem can be tackled effectively and could possibly reveal that most offenders are under the age of 18 or there is a significant illegal drugs problem.

Data accuracy and compatibility for transfer and analysis will normally be an issue for IT based and Geographical Information based systems and this may need to be addressed now or in the future. If a set of data is likely to be of assistance, then it would be worth considering whether there is scope for action to be taken to ensure that it is made accurate and compatible, to facilitate its transfer to make analysis easier and more routine in future. Data can be cleaned manually, although increasingly cost effective IT solutions can assist in this process.

Any legal restrictions on the use of the data will need to be considered. Most of the data sets would normally only need to involve the use of depersonalised or non-personal data, which will not normally present any difficulty.

The table below outlines potential data sources and may act as a guide as to what may be available to the crime reduction practitioners. The table is not exhaustive. The need to utilise data will depend on the Crime and Disorder priorities in your area and the nature of the problems being addressed.

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