What we can't tell you · Disclosure restricted
Where exactly did each recorded crime happen?
Disclosure restricted The data is collected but is withheld or coarsened to protect individuals, under statistical disclosure control or data-protection law.
Why
data.police.uk states that published coordinates always represent the approximate location of a crime. Each incident is moved to the nearest anonymised map point, chosen to sit over the centre of a street or a public place, whose catchment must contain at least eight postal addresses or none at all; coordinates more than 20 km from any point are zeroed. Exact locations and victim characteristics are held by forces and are not released.
What is known
What is not known
- Exact coordinates or addresses
- Victim characteristics and hate-crime flags
Who holds the data
- Police forces in England and Wales
- Home Office (Data Hub, record level, restricted)
Would a Freedom of Information request help?
Unlikely. Forces refuse exact locations under sections 40 and 31; counts by LSOA, ward or street are obtainable where not identifying.
Privacy and disclosure restrictions
Snap-point anonymisation with a minimum of eight addresses per catchment; section 40 FOIA (personal data).
Official sources checked
Last reviewed 2026-09-02. Availability changes; if a publication now answers this question, challenge the classification below.