New app allows pub customers to immediately report crime

21-Dec-2012 - Last updated on 21-Dec-2012 at 08:55 GMT

Simon Gordon: the new technology will help crime information reach the police quicker

A new app has been launched to allow victims of theft to report a crime, and licensees with CCTV will be immediately notified if the crime took place in their venue.

It has been devised by Facewatch, an online crime reporting system which gives members access to a secure website on which they can report small crimes and upload CCTV footage to share with the police and other members.

Once a crime is reported, the free app will provide an insurance crime reference and the option to cancel all payment cards. Victims will be able to use a friend’s phone to report the crime.

The information will be sent instantly to the relevant police force via the Facewatch system. If there is CCTV available at the premises the crime took place, the licensee will be emailed automatically and encouraged to upload the relevant footage.

Victims can also upload images and tag their location.

The Facewatch system is currently in use in by nine police forces areas across the UK and more than 6,000 business premises are registered or committed to register on the system. It has received backing from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and Crimestoppers.

Facewatch executive chairman Simon Gordon said: “Opening up the Facewatch reporting technology to the public is a logical step in our development of tools to help reduce low level crime and make communities safer. This will provide a service that is perfectly suited for use via a smart phone. Geo tagging and the ability to upload images means information will reach the police faster than ever before and this will lead to more convictions and provide a further deterrent to pickpockets and bag snatchers.”