The number of crimes reported so far on the UK Police Portal has reached 2,700, according to the Police IT Organisation (PITO). In June 2001, the first month of its use, 133 crimes were reported on the portal. By January 2002 the monthly figure had risen to 660.

No clear-up figures for the reported crimes were available. A spokesperson said this has not been regarded as a priority because most of the crimes reported are the type that are recorded for information only, with no action taken in response. "It gives police forces a clearer picture of what crimes are going on," said the spokesperson. "For example, a lot of forces would say that if vandalism is going on in an area it is much better that people inform them so they can target their patrols."

The report followed news that the project has won an accolade in the Management Consultancies Association Best Management Practice Awards. It took third place in the e-business category.

PITO Chairman Sir Edmund Burton said: "There is little doubt that the close working relationship between the PITO team and our colleagues from BT Consulting played a considerable part in the successful delivery on time and to cost, of the police portal.

"Working to challenging deadlines, the teams gelled quickly to deliver the kind of robust and secure internet service that will increasingly become part of citizens' lives."

The Police Portal enables people to notify forces of non-urgent crime through a structured and secure email. Once it has been submitted the online crime notification is automatically forwarded to the relevant force and a receipt notification sent to the victim.


Source: Kable's Government Computing
Publication date: 13/02/2002 05:38:00 AM