Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about using BobbyOnTheBeat.
- What data does BobbyOnTheBeat use, and how up to date is it?
- All crime data comes from data.police.uk, the official open-data service run by UK police forces. It covers England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Records are published monthly, typically with a four-to-six week lag, so the most recent month shown is usually around six weeks behind the current date.
- How much does it cost?
- We offer a 30-day free trial — no payment needed to get started. After that, plans are £9.99 per year for individuals (less than £1 per month) and £19.99 per year for business users.
- How do I search for crime data near my property?
- Enter a UK postcode in the search bar at the top of the map. The map will load crime incidents in the surrounding area, grouped into clusters at lower zoom levels. Click any cluster or individual pin to explore further. Use the radius and month controls to narrow the view.
- Can I save postcodes so I do not have to search every time?
- Yes. After searching a postcode, click the bookmark icon next to the postcode label. Your saved postcodes appear under "My Postcodes" in the navigation. You need an account to use this feature — saved postcodes are tied to your login so they follow you across devices.
- How do I track crime trends over time?
- Search a postcode, then open the Analytics tab. The chart shows monthly incident totals broken down by crime category. Use the date-range selectors to zoom in on a specific period, and tick or untick categories to focus on the types of crime you care about most.
- How do I bookmark an individual crime incident?
- Click a pin on the map to open the crime detail panel on the right-hand side. Click the bookmark icon in the panel header to save that incident. You can find all your bookmarked incidents under "Saved Crimes" in the navigation.
- I'm a property professional — how do I generate a crime report for a postcode?
- Search the postcode, then open the Analytics tab. Once the data has loaded, click the "Download PDF" button. The report includes a trend chart, a breakdown by crime category, and a monthly summary — ready to hand to buyers or attach to a property listing. You need a business account to access the Analytics tab.