- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

UK Crime Victims to Report Offenses Via Skype in Pilot Scheme

© Flickr / Paul TownsendUK Police
UK Police - Sputnik International
Subscribe
British crime victims will be able to contact police via Skype instead of having officers visit them in a bid to cut costs in a new trial scheme, local media reported Friday.

Armed policemen stand guard in Grosvenor Square in London. File photo - Sputnik International
UK Crime Rate to Soar 40% Once Cybercrimes Included
MOSCOW (Sputnik) Police forces across the United Kingdom expect to see a dramatic slash in funding from 25 to 40 percent in a Comprehensive Spending Review due to be issued in November, according to Sky News.

The new practice will be first piloted in the city of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire County.

Law enforcement officers will continue to make home visits, however, the public will be encouraged to try to solve any issues they may have by calling the police by telephone or Skype, or by dropping into their local police station in person, the TV channel stated.

"We understand people have busy lives and this service will provide flexibility, with appointments from 8am to 10pm seven days a week," the statement on Cambridgeshire Police website reads.

The initiative was originally put forward by Ian Hopkins, the then deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, in 2014.

Hopkins also suggested that one of the world’s largest social networking websites, Facebook, could be used to report crimes to law enforcement agencies as well.

Opponents of the move have labeled it "a retrograde step," questioning its efficiency and ability to help those in need.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала