Police Tell Victims Of Crime To Call Them On Skype

A U.K. police force is asking victims of crime to report incidents using Skype, in a move that has been slammed by critics.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary in Peterborough has started a scheme that urges people to use the popular video chat service to report crimes so that it can reduce the number of home visits and improve response times.

The ‘virtual policing’ move comes ahead of expected funding cuts of between 25 and 40% as part of the governments’s Comprehensive Spending Review next month.

Under the new scheme, house calls will only be made by police officers where necessary, with victims being encouraged to visit the police station, call the non-emergency 101 phone number or contact the force via Skype instead.

While many have slammed the scheme as a cost-cutting exercise that will take away the empathetic face-to-face approach that many victims of crime expect, the force’s area commander insists that it will benefit those reporting crimes. Supt Melanie Dales explained:

“We understand people have busy lives and this service will provide flexibility, with appointments from 8am to 10pm seven days a week,” she said.

“This initiative will bring the police more in line with other services, such as doctors’ surgeries, and as with the health service our emergency response will be there when required.”

"It will allow officers, who use a large proportion of their time travelling across the city to and from appointments, more time to patrol their neighbourhoods.

Dale also highlighted the importance of using emerging technologies to improve services.

"By using modern technology such as Skype, we are increasing our efficiency and ensuring we are able to respond to people in a shorter time frame,” Dales added.

Image credit: Policing Peterborough/Facebook