SafeWalk UK data sources and limits
SafeWalk UK combines several public datasets. Being open about where the data comes from, and where it falls short, matters for a safety tool.
| Source | Used for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| data.police.uk | Street-level crime | Monthly and delayed; locations anonymised to nearby points; not available for Scotland |
| OpenStreetMap | Map tiles, street data | Community-mapped; coverage varies by area |
| Overpass API | CCTV, street lamps, safe spaces | Sparse mapping does not mean there is no lighting or CCTV |
| Nominatim | Search and geocoding | Public usage policy applies |
| OSM foot router / OSRM | Walking routes | Public servers with no service guarantee |
Licences and credits
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Crime data © Crown copyright, contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Live data is never cached
Crime, routing, safe-space and live-location requests always go to the network. The app only caches its own shell and map libraries so it can open without signal, which avoids showing stale safety information.
Privacy
Saved routes are stored in your own browser. Anonymous usage events (for example, a route search or share) are collected with Google Analytics 4 to improve the app.