MyNeighbourhood.info is the site set up by West Midlands Police, which went live last September. It was initiated by West Midlands Police and did not form part of a official pilot scheme, as no official pilot scheme was in place.

The Home Secretary, during a visit to West Midlands Police to view the site, did outline plans to roll out online crime mapping by the end of the year, and we are delighted that our endeavours with West Midlands are acting as a benchmark for crime mapping applications.

Indeed, as co-developers of the site, Dotted Eyes was recently invited to the Home Office to present on online crime mapping, and the applications we have developed for West Midlands Police and Buckinghamshire Community Safety Partnership. These sites are bepoke versions of our ForceView crime mapping software, which allows the public access to online crime mapping, whilst ensuring that victims' identities are protected.

It is essential that the police communicate accurate statistics to the public in an easy to understand format. In many cases, the public’s perception of crime is worse than the reality and an online map can offer reassurance. This will not always be the case, which is why crime statistics should always be displayed alongside supplementary information about preventing crime and building safer communities.

Addressing RICS's concerns specifically, whilst we understand the fear that home values will be reduced in certain areas, the converse is possible in areas which have lower crime levels and are therefore more desirable places to live.