First step to solving the crime problem is identifying it

Thinking of moving into a new house? You might want to have a look at police.uk and type in the postcode first.
This will show the level of crime not just in the local area right down to the individual street. We have entered the era of ‘crime mapping.’
Some fret this extra knowledge will be a dangerous thing. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors fear that: ‘Publicising high crime areas in such detail could literally wipe thousands off house prices overnight, further disadvantaging those who are already struggling to make ends meet.’

A man looks ready to fight on Newgate Street, Newcastle, which came out top as the street with the most 'anti-social behaviour'. The crime map, right, shows the worst affected areas in Britain

In some places it could. But isn't that reasonable? Shouldn't the price of something as important as a house be determined by full and accurate information?
Home buyers will be interested in avoiding an area they think is rife with crime anyway. So isn't it better for them to make these decisions based on facts rather than gossip? A street unfairly stigmatized as a crime zone might see house prices rise once the truth is there for all to see.Read More