Crime facts withheld over ‘fear factor’

The schemes were, until recently, furnished with information about all the crime in their entire ward.

But they have been told by West Yorkshire Police they will only receive details of crimes in their streets, as the old system had a “negative effect on people’s perception of crime”. An email sent by police said: “We have been advised, through surveys, that we are having a negative effect on people’s perception of crime, and that we are actually raising the fear of crime by telling you what is happening.

“This is not the intention, obviously, so we have been asked to inform the co-ordinator only if there has been a crime in your specific street.”

Chief Inspector Marianne Huison, of the Bradford District Safer Neighbourhoods and Partnerships, said: “For a number of years we have sent out information on a ward basis reflecting on crime over the previous 24 hours.

“Recent feedback from resident surveys has indicated that in some cases this information has been counter productive and has inadvertently raised their fear of crime.”

She said this led police to review how they communicate with their Neighbourhood Watch schemes.