People in Scotland are now able to report minor crimes or offences on-line through a computer. The facility is part of a national project led by Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO). Anyone wishing to access the facility can do so through their local force website or through the PITO Internet web-site, using the address [http://www.online.police.uk].
The system for reporting a crime is initiated when an individual completes the on-line notification form. The form is then e-mailed to PITO, which forwards it to the relevant police force. PITO also send a receipt of the message to the person reporting. The police force deals with the information in the normal manner. The person reporting the incident will be contacted by their local force within two days (excluding Saturdays and Sundays).
People in the community who now phone the police about, for example, minor thefts and vandalism, might choose to use e-mail. The advantage of this on-line service is that it will cut the costs associated with the administration of minor crime. 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.
Note to editor :
Further information about the PITO Portal can be obtained locally from members of the ACPOS (Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland) Technical and Research Standing Committee.
They are :