Maps to give public access to crime information

The initiative, announced by Jacqui Smith during a visit to Brierley Hill, West Midlands, follows "successful" trials of the maps in the area, as well as in West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Hampshire.

Being made available both online and in leaflet form, the maps can be searched by postcode and are backed up by graphs showing crime trends, month-on-month comparisons, and information broken down into specific types of offence.

The Home Secretary said: "The public are the best weapon in helping to fight crime and anti-social behaviour - and to do that people need to know what's going on in their area."

Stressing that cutting crime involved a "two-way street" involving both the public and the police, Ms Smith added: "We need to make sure that people know what's happening to crime in their neighbourhood, and how they can get involved and work with their neighbourhood police officers."

Maps published in the West Midlands also contained local contact details, allowing the public to access individual officers more easily.