Merseyside Police is using technology to answer the “where and why” of serious violence across the region, to support crime prevention and to enhance public safety. Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM), powered by Simsi, focuses on places, not people, to prevent crime. Simsi is a startup out of Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Analysts from Merseyside Police are using RTM to identify crime patterns and prioritise places in need. With this data, the force is targeting areas with prevention interventions and proactive patrols. The software aims to identify how certain qualities of geographic space – such as points of interest including pubs, parks and bus stops – interact and overlap to influence behaviours and outcomes in connection to a specific topic, such as serious violence. The software identifies ‘Risky Places’ which can then be used for forecasting where crime could happen, where resources should be deployed, risk mitigation and problem solving for preventative policing, and other highly actionable decision-making efforts.
The force is now looking to use the software to support hotspot policing – a tactic which involves operating intensive, high-visibility foot patrols for short periods of time within specific areas where there is a risk of serious violence.
Analytics from the software will be used to identify specific problem areas and develop tailored responses, alongside partners, to address these issues and find solutions, such as introducing targeted intervention initiatives, working with business owners and liaising with colleagues to explore crime reduction and prevention through environmental design. The use of hotspot policing has resulted in a 25% reduction in serious violent crime across Merseyside in 2023. The force hopes to continue this downwards trend by utilising the diagnostic tool as part of its whole system approach.
Analytics from the software will be used to identify specific problem areas and develop tailored responses, alongside partners, to address these issues and find solutions, such as introducing targeted intervention initiatives, working with business owners and liaising with colleagues to explore crime reduction and prevention through environmental design. The use of hotspot policing has resulted in a 25% reduction in serious violent crime across Merseyside in 2023. The force hopes to continue this downwards trend by utilising the diagnostic tool as part of its whole system approach.