MPS’s use of the Risk Terrain Modelling application

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.030036

I note you seek access to the following information:

NEW REQUEST
I would like to revise this request to question 1, as follows:

1. In relation to the Metropolitan Police’s use of the Risk Terrain Modelling application please could you provide:
a. What the purpose of the application is and who are the primary targets of the application (e.g any specific focus on crime types or location types (urban, suburban, high footfall);
b. What types of data the application uses (e.g stop and search data, known offenders addresses);
c. If available and in an easily retrievable format, the sources of the data that the application uses (eg what databases it draws from, such as CRIMINT, the Gangs Matrix, PNC, PND);
d. What outcomes, decisions or outputs the application is used in relation to (e.g patrol decisions, stop and search decisions);
e. the Data Protection Impact Assessment and Equality Impact Assessments which have been conducted in relation to the application;
f. Any internal reviews, reports or assessments of the operation of the application.

I would also like to know if the Met Police use ‘XD’ hotspot mapping software, provided by NEC Solutions LTD, previously known as Northgate.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - In relation to the Metropolitan Police’s use of the Risk Terrain Modelling application please could you provide:
Q1a - What the purpose of the application is and who are the primary targets of the application (e.g any specific focus on crime types or location types (urban, suburban, high footfall);

Risk Terrain Modelling (RTM) is an analytical tool that identifies the environmental conditions that may lead to crime in line with evidenced based principles. RTM brings multiple sources of data together by connecting them to geographic places, then performs statistical calculations to identify which factors correlate with the crime type of interest.

The RTM tool shows correlations between the crime type and local geographic factors. The output can be used by analysts to prioritise further analysis and provide an evidence base to ensure officers are using the most appropriate tactics and deployments to tackle the issue. This helps the MPS to use its resources efficiently and effectively to prevent further crime and ensure public safety.
RTM enables intervention plans and problem solving strategies in order to reduce crime in high volume crime hotspots.

Q1b - What types of data the application uses (e.g stop and search data, known offenders addresses);

RTM primarily uses data about the landscape, such as points of interest, facilities and features of the built environment to understand patterns of public safety problems. This data is publically available from Ordnance Survey.

Q1c - If available and in an easily retrievable format, the sources of the data that the application uses (eg what databases it draws from, such as CRIMINT, the Gangs Matrix, PNC, PND);

The MPS crime recording system (CRIS) is the only source for incident data. Environmental factors are predominantly sourced from Ordnance Survey (Points of Interest).

Q1d - What outcomes, decisions or outputs the application is used in relation to (e.g patrol decisions, stop and search decisions);

RTM produces insights into areas of a local environment that have a heightened risk of the crime type of interest occurring. How RTM is used depends on who the analysis is conducted for. Local tasking and neighbourhood teams might use the map or high risk places to plan preventative patrols. It is also possible that stop and search locations might be identified within the risky areas, also as they often coincide with high crime hotspots.

RTM outputs help to understand environmental risk factors, which could inform a range of potential response strategies including partnership problem solving, community engagement or crime prevention through environmental design for example.

Q1e - The Data Protection Impact Assessment and Equality Impact Assessments which have been conducted in relation to the application;

These have already been provided to the applicant via a separate request.

Q1f - Any internal reviews, reports or assessments of the operation of the application.

At the moment there is no comprehensive review available yet.

I would also like to know if the Met Police use ‘XD’ hotspot mapping software, provided by NEC Solutions LTD, previously known as Northgate.

This software is not being used for hotspotting in the MPS.