Mobile phones help police fight crime
By
Emma Grove
Swale police officers are using the latest
technology to crackdown on crime.
PCs and PCSOs have been out and about on the
borough’s streets asking residents what their main concerns are and
what they think officers’ priorities should be – and logging them
at the touch of a button.
The mobile hand-held devices have been
launched for officers across the mid Kent policing area, which
covers Swale.
The idea is to pinpoint community issues, from
anti-social behaviour to other crimes, and find out where
neighbourhood police officers are needed most.
Officers are using the technology daily to
find out residents’ concerns and also provide the public with
useful information, such as who their PCSO is, how to contact them
and what the priorities are for their area.
Once logged, the information can be easily
accessed by other neighbourhood officers to help them better
respond to the needs of the community.
Personal information including sex, age, ethnic origin and sexual
orientation can also be taken, but is not compulsory, to allow
analysis of what issues affect different community groups, age
groups and also to identify hate crime including racism and
homophobia.
Since the technology was launched in December
last year, the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team has spoken to 743
people.
Issues identified include inconsiderate
parking and other traffic issues in Oak Lane, Upchurch, and dog
fouling at Johnson Gardens.
The Island Neighbourhood Team has spoken to
227 people and some of their issues include motorbikes being ridden
in an anti-social way on the green at Minster Cliffs and damage and
graffiti in Sheerness town centre.
Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Inspector Evan
Jones said: “The use of this modern technology allows our officers
to speak with members of our community to find out exactly what
their concerns are and how Kent Police can best help them.
“There are no forms to fill in back at the
station – the data can be fed into our computer system within
minutes so officers can remain out on the beat.
“This means that if you have a problem with
anti-social behaviour, inconsiderate parking or any other issue
that is important to you we can identify it, take action and then
feed back the results to the community.”
Thursday, February 04 2010