Interactive crime map

The BBC has published an interactive map of crime patterns in Oxford. Apparently, Oxford was selected because it is the closest thing to a typical British city in respect of its demographics and crime statistics.

It's a very useful map, but some people are expressing concerns. Think of it like this:

1. You see how the crime rate is increasing in your city
2. You become afraid
3. You want something to be done about it
4. You are told that the only 'something' that can be done involves curtailing civil liberties
5. You trade your liberties for increased security
   

Hmmm. Not easy. Presumably we don't want to choose ignorance, but we also need to steer clear of fearmongering.