People in Dumfries and Galloway are now able to report non-urgent crimes or
offences on-line through a computer, using the address [http://www.online.police.uk].
The facility is part of a national project led by Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO). Any one wishing to access the facility can do so through the local force website or through the PITO Internet web-site.
All anyone has to do is complete a form on screen and e-mail it to PITO as directed on the website. PITO, in its turn, e-mails the message to the appropriate police force so it's possible to report a crime which has happened elsewhere in the UK as well as local issues. In Dumfries and Galloway, messages will come in through a dedicated terminal and will be dealt with by the local division or department. In line with national policy, anyone who sends such a message will have a response within two working days (ie: excluding Saturday and Sunday).
Deputy Chief Constable Bob Ovens, who is Chairman of the national ACPOS steering committee which has developed the system, says, ' This is yet another way for members of the public to be able to contact their local police about non-urgent and minor matters. All our other lines of communication, telephone, personal contact, and so on, are still in place. Information from the public is a very important source for us and we are trying to make it as easy as possible for people to contact us in a variety of ways which suit their own circumstances.'
People in the community who now phone the police about, for example, minor thefts and vandalism might choose to use e-mail.The PITO portal is not for use in emergencies or when a crime is ongoing. It is still important to contact the police straightaway in these cases and where the crime is serious and needs an immediate response.
0843/2001 AMcI
24 August 2001 12:06