The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has launched a mobile app for the public to report crimes and incidents, and to find information on local policing teams, crime prevention and support for victims and witnesses.
Named Police.UK, it has been developed under the NPCC’s Digital Public Contact Programme (DPC) and is available through the Google Play and iOS App stores.
The app partners with content on the Police.UK website and functionality of the Single Online Home web platform that supports 38 out of the UK’s 43 police forces.
It provides access to services including crime reporting, antisocial behaviour, domestic abuse, rape and sexual assault, spiking, missing persons, victim and witness support and road traffic incidents.
Public in control
DPC’s senior responsible officer, Deputy Chief Constable Simon Megicks said: “We want to make it as easy for the public to contact the police, or find what they need to know such as how to keep themselves or their property safe, or understand what is happening with their local policing team. The Police.UK app puts the public in control to report what they want, when they want to.
“We know that having a digital choice opens a door for many, meaning where they wouldn’t have reported information before, they now will.
“Crimes and incidents can often go unreported because it’s not always convenient to make a phone call or visit a police station. Having the option to report digitally puts the victim or witness in control and prevents them having to verbally relive the incident out loud to someone they have never spoken to before. They can take ultimate control by using the app in a way they want.
“Having an app to complement our growing digital offering allows us to give a wider audience a different choice. It must be stressed, however, that if it is an emergency the public should always call 999, and the option to call 101 for routine issues absolutely still exists.”
