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