Ground-breaking policing scheme piloted in Kent

Predictive Policing identifies locations where crime and anti-social behaviour are most likely to occur

Kent Police is piloting a ground-breaking policing scheme which has brought down crime rates in parts of the USA by up to 17 per cent.

Predictive Policing, which was launched on Monday 10 December (2012) in parts of the county, is a new evidence-based tactic to support crime reduction and increase community safety.

The scheme is a natural extension of intelligence-led policing methods pioneered by Kent Police.

Kent Police has been working closely with police departments across the USA, such as the Los Angeles Police Department, who have successfully implemented Predictive Policing and with Professor Jeff Brantingham, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Anthropology, University of California Los Angeles.

Data analysed 

Predictive Policing analyses data to identify those locations where crime and anti-social behaviour are most likely to occur.

Using advanced mathematics and analysis of human behaviour along with historic crime data, it is more sophisticated than 'hot spot' policing and intelligence-led tactics.

Some forces are using a version of hotspot analysis of crime patterns but none are using this sophisticated predictive tool to prevent crime.

'21st century technology'

Kent Police Chief Constable Ian Learmonth, who has led the implementation of the scheme, said: `Predictive Policing helps address the root causes of crime and anti-social behaviour rather than looking solely at the symptoms and will be used a tactical option as part of the force's current policing model.

`Predictive policing is the best example of old fashioned policing but using 21st century technology.'

Posted on: Thursday 13 December 2012