Simsi welcomes recognition of advanced spatial analysis in national hot spot policing evaluation
We are pleased to see the recent publication of the Home Office’s evaluation report on the GRIP programme, which examines the effectiveness of hot spot policing initiatives across England and Wales. The report provides compelling evidence of how data-driven approaches are helping forces reduce serious violence in their communities.
The comprehensive evaluation highlights Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM) as a key analytical method being utilized by several forces to enhance their hot spot policing strategies.
While Risk Terrain Modeling is often associated with hot spot policing, we’d like to clarify that RTM actually represents an evolution beyond traditional hot spot approaches. Rather than simply identifying where crime has occurred historically, RTM helps agencies understand the underlying environmental factors that create opportunities for crime in specific locations.
This distinction is important because it transforms policing from reactive to preventative. By identifying the environmental risk factors—such as certain types of businesses, physical layouts, or land uses—that correlate with criminal activity, RTM enables police and their partners to develop sustainable solutions that address root causes.
The GRIP programme evaluation demonstrates how forces using these advanced approaches can achieve more targeted deployments and develop problem-solving strategies that extend beyond traditional patrol-based responses. This aligns perfectly with the report’s finding that the most successful hot spot initiatives combined visible policing with problem-solving activities.
We extend our congratulations to all the forces participating in the GRIP programme and thank the Home Office for highlighting the importance of evidence-based approaches like Risk Terrain Modeling. The evaluation’s findings that hot spot policing led to a 41% reduction in hospital admissions for violence with injury in targeted areas is a testament to the value of these approaches.
Simsi remains committed to supporting UK police forces with advanced spatial analysis tools that not only identify where to focus resources but provide the insights needed to create lasting safety improvements in communities across the nation.
For more information about how Risk Terrain Modeling can enhance your agency’s crime reduction strategies, please contact our team.