POLICE are urging people to report non-emergency crime online in a bid to keep its phone lines free for urgent calls.
Warwickshire Police receives most of its non-urgent reports via its 101 phone number.
But it also has a website where crime including antisocial behaviour can be reported and handled by a dedicated team.
Supt Emma Bastone says it offers the same service as calling 101 but can save people waiting in a queue and keeps resources free for emergency calls.
She said: “Although our new website was launched last September, we have seen a relatively low number of reports via the online system, and this is a feature we would really like to encourage the use of.
“Not only does it help to keep our lines free for the most urgent calls, but for the public reporting online will also mean not having to wait to speak to someone, and the report can be filled out in your own time. The online form is very intuitive and straightforward, with specific short questions asked to help provide the answers we need.
“Once a report is submitted, the information goes through to the force’s digital desk, where a dedicated team will make an assessment of the information and decide whether more details are needed. Users will then receive a reference number and will be contacted back with the next steps.
“All reports which come into the force are assessed which means that whichever way you report an incident to us, it will be graded and responded to accordingly, irrespective of whether it is called in or reported online.
“For those who do not have access to the internet or do not feel confident using it, please be assured that our 101 number is still available, but we do ask that if it’s not an emergency and you are able to, please visit our website in the first instance.”
Visit www.warwickshire.police.uk for more information or to report a crime.
