The impact of information about crime & policing on public perceptions

Feb 2011 |
Topic | Crime & Justice
Researcher | Jenny Chanfreau

About this study

This study tests the impact of crime maps and other types of information provision on public perceptions of their local area and the police.

The data was collected by NatCen and analysed by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA).

The public response was largely positive, with the majority of the public viewing crime maps and information as trustworthy and informative. Attitudes to the police and local areas also improved as a result.

Now find out more

You can read the full report and a summary of the report on the NPIA website.

Potential policy impact

The results of the study suggest that crime and policing information improves public attitudes to the local area and the police, and could potentially be used to enhance police accountability. The evidence indicates that an investment of police resources in making information available to the public is worthwhile.

 

Methods

We carried out a randomised control trial that involved giving a large and nationally representative sample of people crime maps and/or other types of information about their local area. Their views about the police and their neighbourhoods were then compared to an equivalent group of people who had not received the same information. In total 7,434 people participated in the trial.