| A new scheme has been launched in three towns | | | | perpetrators as they commit the crime, but |
| across the UK, encouraging people to report | | | | photos of damage caused by anti-social behaviour |
| anti-social behaviour using their mobile camera | | | | will be useful in monitoring activity and building up |
| phones. Harlow in Essex (home town of | | | | evidence".According to a police spokesman, the |
| Mouse2house.co.uk) as well as Bristol and Ipswich | | | | police in Harlow welcome this partnership initiative |
| have been given the opportunity to test this new | | | | as it encourages residents to become involved in |
| way of reporting anti-social behaviour.Initially | | | | helping towards the improvement of the |
| residents are being invited to snap photos of | | | | environment and local community. If the scheme |
| graffiti and vandalism using their mobile phones, | | | | is proven to be successful in the three towns, it is |
| which can then be sent over the mobile phone | | | | proposed that the scheme is rolled out across the |
| network to council officers on 07739 888 558 | | | | rest of the country.This type of scheme |
| with the word Harlow, Bristol or Ipswich | | | | demonstrates the changing face of the mobile |
| (depending on which town you are in) followed by | | | | phone and it's use. It is no longer just a device for |
| details of where the offence has taken place. | | | | making phone calls, but a mobile device with many |
| Once the image/s are received at the council | | | | uses i.e. photos, video, music, note taking, voice |
| offices they will then be added to the anti-social | | | | recording etc. Imagine if you are unfortunately |
| behaviour database, which is shared across | | | | involved in a minor motor accident, you would be |
| several other organisations. The cost of sending a | | | | able to take photographic, video and audio records |
| message is dependent on the person's mobile | | | | of the incident details which can later be used as |
| phone tariff.Harlow council joint leader Cllr Chris | | | | evidence if necessary, no more 3rd parties |
| Millington said: "This new service will help increase | | | | denying that the accident took place or changing |
| people's involvement in making Harlow a safer, | | | | the story of what actually happened!Article by |
| cleaner place to live by expanding the ways in | | | | Iggy Quazi director of Ecommerce business |
| which these crimes are reported to us". "It's | | | | Mouse2House based in Essex, England stocking a |
| important to stress," said the other joint leader, | | | | wide range of digital imaging devices. For more |
| Cllr Kevin Brooks, "that we don't want people to | | | | info see for the latest digital media products. |
| put themselves at risk by photographing | | | | |