Online tracking service for crime victims

A new online service will allow victims of crime to find the latest information about their case 24-hours-a-day.

TrackMyCrime, pioneered by Avon and Somerset Constabulary, will allow people who report a crime to easily and securely follow it through the investigation stage. They will also be able to exchange secure messages with their investigating officer to ensure they are up to date with how the case is progressing.

TrackMyCrime was acquired by the Ministry of Justice at the start of 2014 with the aim of making it available to all police forces in England and Wales. The service was launched nationally by Policing Minister Mike Penning at the International Crime and Police Conference at the end of last month.

Victims in Avon and Somerset, Kent and South Yorkshire are already using the service, while Humberside Police, Lancashire Constabulary and Lincolnshire Police plan to go live with the system in 2015 with more forces expected to follow.

Mr Penning said the system was “a common sense approach” which offers more flexibility for victims and will be more efficient for police officers working shifts.

He said the TrackMyCrime website will not replace speaking to a police officer in person, but will give people more choice about how and when they can get information about their case.

It is estimated that online crime reporting could save up to £3.7 million and 180,000 officer hours per year if it is adopted by all forces.

Crime manager at Avon and Somerset Constabulary Detective Chief Inspector Susan Wilshire said the force is pleased that victims nationally will now benefit from the TrackMyCrime service.

The Home Secretary recently announced that the Home Office will work with Surrey and Sussex Police to develop a prototype for people to report non-emergency crime on www.police.uk