Surge of interest causes Crime Maps website to crash » Communities » 24dash.com

An interactive map offering detailed crime statistics for every street in England and Wales proved a huge internet hit today.

Thousands of people attempted to access details of crimes from burglaries to vehicle thefts in their neighbourhoods.

The surge of interest caused the site to crash off-line just hours after it was first unveiled.

Those attempting to visit the site, http://maps.police.uk/, were shown an automated message saying it was temporarily unavailable.

The teething problems were overcome soon after Home Office minister David Hanson marked the launch during a visit to a regeneration project in south west London.

He was joined by National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) deputy chief executive Steve Mortimore, whose colleagues drew up the map.

The website gives members of the public unprecedented access to information about crimes taking place in their neighbourhood.

The national map follows on the heels of regional versions created by the 43 forces across England and Wales.

The sites have been widely regarded as a success with some registering more than 50,000 visits per month.

Mr Hanson said giving people access to more information about crime should improve their confidence in policing.

He said: "We know the public want this information, which will allow them to hold the police to account and help create an even more responsive and effective service."

Mr Mortimore said: "Fear of crime is known to outstrip the reality. The crime map will give people the facts about local crime and what forces are doing about it."

Users should be able to access figures on levels of burglary, robbery, violence, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.

They can also compare one area against another and compare figures against the same period the previous year to see if crime is getting better or worse.

The website also offers messages from senior officers and links to local policing priorities and information about forthcoming crime-fighting events.