Mobile Phones To Help Fight Crime
by: Iggy Quazi
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A new scheme has been launched in three towns across the UK,
encouraging people to report anti-social behaviour using their
mobile camera phones. Harlow in Essex (home town of
Mouse2house.co.uk) as well as Bristol and Ipswich have been given
the opportunity to test this new way of reporting anti-social
behaviour.
Initially residents are being invited to snap photos of graffiti and
vandalism using their mobile phones, which can then be sent over the
mobile phone network to council officers on 07739 888 558 with the
word Harlow, Bristol or Ipswich (depending on which town you are in)
followed by details of where the offence has taken place. Once the
image/s are received at the council offices they will then be added
to the anti-social behaviour database, which is shared across
several other organisations. The cost of sending a message is
dependent on the person's mobile phone tariff.
Harlow council joint leader Cllr Chris Millington said: "This new
service will help increase people's involvement in making Harlow a
safer, cleaner place to live by expanding the ways in which these
crimes are reported to us". "It's important to stress," said the
other joint leader, Cllr Kevin Brooks, "that we don't want people to
put themselves at risk by photographing perpetrators as they commit
the crime, but photos of damage caused by anti-social behaviour will
be useful in monitoring activity and building up evidence".
According to a police spokesman, the police in Harlow welcome this
partnership initiative as it encourages residents to become involved
in helping towards the improvement of the environment and local
community. If the scheme is proven to be successful in the three
towns, it is proposed that the scheme is rolled out across the rest
of the country.
This type of scheme demonstrates the changing face of the mobile
phone and it's use. It is no longer just a device for making phone
calls, but a mobile device with many uses i.e. photos, video, music,
note taking, voice recording etc. Imagine if you are unfortunately
involved in a minor motor accident, you would be able to take
photographic, video and audio records of the incident details which
can later be used as evidence if necessary, no more 3rd parties
denying that the accident took place or changing the story of what
actually happened!
If you already have one of these great devices, don't forget the
most important part, the memory card to record on to.
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