RESIDENTS who wish to provide details of non-emergency crimes such as antisocial behaviour have been encouraged to visit the police’s new online reporting system.
Long-running concerns about delays on its 101 phone helpline has prompted South Yorkshire Police to review its report-taking methods, with the website - which is now live in its new, easier-to-use format - being the first to benefit from work to streamline the process following complaints from members of the public and councillors.
The website now has a step-by-step menu for users to report antisocial-related issues, fraud, retail crime and track lost or found property, with each report dealt with in a 24-hour period.
It has been claimed that some callers across Barnsley have endured 30-minute waits before opting to put the phone down, and crime figures, which are partly gathered from data received via 101, do not represent a true reflection of low-level issues because people have failed to have their incidents logged.
Superintendent Bob Chapman said: “Encouraging people to use online or self-serve technology is key to us for the future. Interim work has been undertaken on the website and members of the public can now make contact via email with their local team.
“While this is not an immediate reporting tool as it is not monitored 24/7, it is ideal for people to report ongoing concerns and community issues.”
The force, which receives around 2,000 calls per day via 101, says phone callers will also notice improvements by the spring following the conclusion of a review.
“Dealing promptly and effectively with calls from the public is the driving force behind a review we are currently undertaking of our communications centre,” Supt Chapman said.
“We will have launched two significant technological upgrades which will reduce duplication and the requirement for call takers to search multiple IT systems when dealing with a call by spring 2018.
“We do expect to see a reduction in the duration of calls which in turn will reduce waiting times.”
Inspector Andrew Norton, who is in charge of Barnsley’s four local policing hubs in the town centre, Goldthorpe, Kendray and Royston, said on-the-beat officers are encouraging more people to use the online tool.
“If we can get residents to do that, hopefully those who have internet access will take advantage of it,” he added. “That way, it will reduce waiting times for those who do not have access and can only report matters over the phone.
“I acknowledge that people have encountered problems with 101. It’s a theme that happens at PACT meetings and more localised crime and safeties across Barnsley.
“It’s not a perfect system as there’s reduced staff and a high volume of calls, but it is under review and we will make improvements.”
* Visit reportingcrime.uk for more information.
