Crime Maps

Recently, for example, Groff et al. (2005) studied the impact of crime maps on the public’s perception (As cited in Quinton, 2011). To determine such an impact the researchers looked at whether different ways of presenting the data had an effect, which resulted in crime maps being found to be no worse, and in certain cases, better than traditional statistics reducing the citizen’s fear of crime within a community (As cited in Quinton, 2011). Geoff et al. (2011) did conclude however, that the type of crime map used might be able to make a difference, as the findings concluded that maps which mask variations and concentrate in a crime that is local, might make more individuals more fears when in comparison to other examples (As cited in Quinton,

It also became evident that the way in which the booklets were delivered to the citizens was crucial as the booklets handed out to individuals to people at their doorsteps was found to have a bigger impact on the citizenry’s confidence in comparison to if the booklets were to be sent by the mail (Quinton, 2011). Quinton (2011) suggested that through satisfactory informal contact, such as face to face contact with the police, the National Reassurance Policing Program suggested that it can positively affect one’s confidence in the police and their services. It is evident, as suggested by the research above, that while providing information can have a few setbacks. Recent studies, however, have indicated that the content and way information is delivered has the potential to make people safer, more secure, and lessen their fear of crime; therefore, it is important that certain strategies and tactics be used in the future when police are trying to deliver information to the