Help fight crime with mobile phone app

People can now help to fight crime in Greater Manchester with the UK’s first location based policing mobile phone app.

Greater Manchester Police has used geo-location technology to allow people to become crime fighters and to get closer to their local neighbourhood policing teams. In a first of its kind the free app available for iPhone makes policing accessible from your fingertips.

It has been developed by GMP staff and is available now to download from the App Store.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “This is a real step forwards in using technology to support policing and gives people the chance to help us at any time and any place. They can find out what is happening where they are and be kept informed.

“It provides an enhanced service and we will be working on further developments. We want people to help us add to it with what will help them on a daily basis.”

The app provides access to information about the nearest police station and neighbourhood policing team information, officers details, meetings, student safety zone in Manchester and an ‘around me’ feature that plots news, appeals, wanted people nearby the user.

All appeals have the option for people to provide vital information on an easy-to-use form that goes directly to our intelligence teams.

“We rely on the information that we get from people to help us to solve crimes,” said Detective Superintendent Mark Smith. “The app is a great addition that means people can send details no matter where they are, and help us to target criminals.”

It is currently available from the App Store https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/gmpolice/id592406619?mt=8 and an Android version will be available in spring 2013.

It can also be accessed through the GMP website www.gmp.police.uk together with a Snapguide of how it can be used.