Are we still 'Flying Blind?' Crime Data and Local Crime Prevention in New South Wales

Numerous authors and commentators have highlighted the importance of crime data for effective local crime prevention planning, practice and its evaluation. Understanding the exact nature of a crime problem is central to preventive efforts and determining the success of associated interventions. Despite the significant amount of data provided by the New South Wales (NSW) Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, access to relevant local crime data continues to be an impediment to effective crime prevention planning practice in NSW. Data is often only available at the local government area level, which is generally too large for effective crime prevention planning. Spatial, temporal and other critical data is also often unavailable. Further, police are generally cautious about providing crime data to external agencies. In the continuing absence of a data sharing protocol or framework, local crime prevention efforts will continue to 'fly blind' (Weatherburn 2004) in New South Wales.