WEB users in the region were left frustrated yesterday when the Government’s crime mapping website crashed because of high demand.

Up to five million visits an hour brought the site to a standstill.

The site has been launched to give people the information they need to hold their local police to account.

People who were able to access the site found some early glitches.

According to the map, there were no incidents of antisocial behaviour in Darlington town centre in December.

A spokesman for Durham Police said he would be surprised if this was correct.

He suggested a glitch in the system could be responsible.

Stockton South MP James Wharton said the site would allow people to see exactly what crime was happening and where.

He said: “By providing crime data in an open format that anyone can access, even from their mobile phone, we can all hold the police to account.

“We can ensure they deal with the issues that actually matter to us locally, not those decided by a Whitehall bureaucrat.”

The Home Office said the problems with the website – police.uk – were temporary, adding that it was delighted with the early high demand.

Nationally, other glitches were found.

Sussex Police’s main call handling centre ranked highly on the crime map.

Bolnore Road, in Haywards Heath, West Sussex – where the force’s headquarters is based – showed abnormally high levels of anti-social behaviour.

A Sussex Police spokesman said the high figures related to hoax calls, which were recorded on site because there was no alternative location.

The problem also raised questions about how other forces had collated the data.

And the inclusion of a quiet street as one of the most crime-ridden in the country was branded as “crackers” by the local council.

Surrey Street, in Portsmouth, Hampshire, was shown as having 136 crimes, including burglary, violence and anti-social behaviour in December.

But the street, which is less than 100 metres, is home only to a respectable pub used by postal workers, a car park and a block of flats.

Glovers Court, in Preston, and its surrounding area was the most crime-ridden place in England and Wales, the figures showed.

Mixed response to Government’s site

FOLLOWING the launch of the Government’s crime maps, The Northern Echo sought the opinion of the public in Darlington: George Steen, 62, of Darlington: “I think it’s just another hair-brained scheme that won’t work.

It’s a total waste of money and another breach to people’s right of privacy.

It will seriously undervalue property in crime targeted areas.”

Nicola Jones, 24, of Darlington: “People have a right to know what’s going on outside their front door. If I was moving house, I would want to know what the area was like. It’s a good idea, money well spent.”

James Brady, 20, of Newton Aycliffe, above right: “I think it’s a great idea. I heard just yesterday that someone got beat up in the town centre. It’s scary how close by these things happen.

People need to be aware of what’s going on.”

John Barker, 54, of Bishop Auckland, top right: “I think it’s a bad idea because it will highlight crime spots, which will lead to more criminals operating in these places.

There are obviously fewer police in those areas.”

Amanda Hart, 21, of Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, below: “I think it is a good idea because everyone has a right to know what’s going on.

You find the people who are against it are usually the ones with something to hide.”