Forget 999, Brits may soon get the option to report crime online
In the UK, the simplest way to report a crime has always been to pick up the phone and speak to someone. Whether that's dialling 999, 101 or the Crimestoppers charity, the general process has stayed the same. However, that could soon change in the not-too-distant future. The UK's Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that the Home Office is working with the Surrey and Sussex police forces to develop an all-new online alternative. The service is envisioned for non-emergency crimes and could reduce the costs and general workload placed on the police. Of course, it'll still need manning, but May claims it could save 180,000 officer hours a year, or roughly £3.7 million. It might also make victims and witnesses more comfortable about reporting problems to the police, and speed up the time it takes for officers to mount a response. Of course, all of this depends on the government building a website that's reliable and simple to use. May says a prototype is currently in development, so we'll reserve judgment until it's up and running.
[Image Credit: ukhomeoffice, Flickr]
