# Cookie Policy for BigCrimeWatch **Effective Date:** 19 January 2026 **Last Updated:** 19 January 2026 --- ## 1. Introduction This Cookie Policy explains how BigCrimeWatch ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website at [www.bigcrimewatch.com](https://www.bigcrimewatch.com) (the "Website"). By using our Website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree to our use of cookies, please disable them by following the instructions in this Cookie Policy or by changing your browser settings. --- ## 2. What Are Cookies? Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, smartphone, tablet) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners. Cookies can be: - **Session cookies**: Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser - **Persistent cookies**: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them --- ## 3. How We Use Cookies We use cookies for the following purposes: ### 3.1 Essential Cookies (Always Active) These cookies are necessary for the Website to function properly and cannot be disabled. | Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | |------------|---------|----------| | Clerk Session | Maintains user authentication and login state | Session | | Security Tokens | Ensures secure connections and prevents unauthorised access | Session | ### 3.2 Analytics Cookies (Optional - Requires Consent) These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our Website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. | Service | Purpose | Duration | |---------|---------|----------| | Vercel Analytics | Tracks page views, user behaviour, and site performance | 365 days | **Provider:** Vercel Inc. **Privacy Policy:** [https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy](https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy) ### 3.3 Advertising Cookies (Optional - Requires Consent) These cookies are used to display relevant advertisements and measure advertising campaign performance. | Service | Purpose | Duration | |---------|---------|----------| | Google AdSense | Displays personalised advertisements based on browsing behaviour | Up to 2 years | **Provider:** Google LLC **Privacy Policy:** [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) --- ## 4. Third-Party Services We use the following third-party services that may set cookies on your device: ### 4.1 Clerk Authentication - **Purpose:** User authentication and account management - **Type:** Essential cookies - **Privacy Policy:** [https://clerk.com/privacy](https://clerk.com/privacy) ### 4.2 Mapbox - **Purpose:** Interactive map rendering and geolocation services - **Type:** Functional cookies - **Privacy Policy:** [https://www.mapbox.com/legal/privacy](https://www.mapbox.com/legal/privacy) ### 4.3 Vercel Analytics - **Purpose:** Website traffic analysis and performance monitoring - **Type:** Analytics cookies (requires consent) - **Privacy Policy:** [https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy](https://vercel.com/legal/privacy-policy) ### 4.4 Google AdSense - **Purpose:** Advertising and revenue generation - **Type:** Advertising cookies (requires consent) - **Privacy Policy:** [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) --- ## 5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. ### 5.1 Cookie Consent Banner When you first visit our Website, you will see a cookie consent banner allowing you to: - **Accept all cookies:** Grants consent for all cookie types - **Manage preferences:** Choose which types of cookies you want to enable ### 5.2 Change Your Preferences You can change your cookie preferences at any time by: 1. Clicking the "Cookie Preferences" link in the Website footer 2. Adjusting your settings in the preferences modal 3. Saving your new preferences Your preferences are stored for **365 days**, after which you will be asked to consent again. ### 5.3 Browser Settings Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically: - View what cookies have been set - Delete cookies individually or all at once - Block cookies from specific websites - Block all cookies - Delete all cookies when you close your browser **Browser-Specific Instructions:** - **Google Chrome:** Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data - **Mozilla Firefox:** Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data - **Safari:** Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data - **Microsoft Edge:** Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies **Please note:** Disabling essential cookies may affect the functionality of our Website, including your ability to sign in and access certain features. --- ## 6. Do Not Track Signals Some browsers support "Do Not Track" (DNT) signals. Our Website does not currently respond to DNT signals, but you can control cookies through your browser settings and our cookie preference centre. --- ## 7. Updates to This Cookie Policy We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, regulatory, or operational reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by: - Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy - Displaying a prominent notice on our Website - Sending an email notification (if you have an account) We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies. --- ## 8. Children's Privacy Our Website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through cookies. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately. --- ## 9. International Data Transfers Some of our third-party service providers are based outside the United Kingdom and European Economic Area (EEA). When cookies are set by these providers, your data may be transferred to countries with different data protection laws. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, including: - Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission - Privacy Shield certification (where applicable) - Adequacy decisions by the European Commission --- ## 10. Your Data Protection Rights Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have the following rights regarding data collected through cookies: - **Right to Access:** Request copies of your personal data collected via cookies - **Right to Rectification:** Request correction of inaccurate data - **Right to Erasure:** Request deletion of your data - **Right to Restrict Processing:** Request limitation of how we use your data - **Right to Data Portability:** Request transfer of your data in a machine-readable format - **Right to Object:** Object to processing of your data for specific purposes - **Right to Withdraw Consent:** Withdraw your cookie consent at any time To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below. --- ## 11. Contact Us If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us: **Email:** info@bigcrimewatch.com **Website:** [www.bigcrimewatch.com/contact](https://www.bigcrimewatch.com/contact) **Data Protection Enquiries:** privacy@bigcrimewatch.com We will respond to your enquiry within **30 days** of receipt. --- ## 12. Complaints If you are not satisfied with how we handle your cookie-related concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority: **UK:** Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) - Website: [https://ico.org.uk](https://ico.org.uk) - Telephone: 0303 123 1113 **EU:** Your local data protection supervisory authority --- **End of Cookie Policy** *This Cookie Policy is designed to comply with UK GDPR, EU GDPR, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).*