New police tactic to be trialled in north Kent which 'predicts crime' (From News Shopper)

New police tactic to be trialled in north Kent which 'predicts crime'

4:19pm Monday 10th December 2012 in Dartford & Swanley news By George Sargent

A NEW way of tackling crime will be introduced in Kent this month which will target offences before they have happened.

As of December 10 Predictive Policing will be trialled in north Kent.

The system uses data of previous crimes and human behavioural analysis to predict where crimes are likely to occur.

Officers are then sent to specific, small areas and told to deal with what they find.

It does not replace neighbourhood policing.

The system originated in the USA and has since been implemented by several British police forces.

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Ann Barnes, said: “It’s a great mix of old-fashioned policing with 21st century technology.

“If the trial meets expectations, it will be rolled out in other areas across the county. As well as driving down crime, it helps increase police visibility, which I know is a top priority for Kent residents.”