Using a live video link to speak to victims of crime has been praised by a Purbeck woman who turned to new tech policing when she was being stalked.
Where there is no immediate threat which would require officers to attend in person, a new Dorset Police initiative is giving victims the choice of speaking to an officer by video to allow statements to be taken.
Male and female officers are available to conduct enhanced video response calls with a growing number of victims preferring the online option
30 requests a day now being made
Dorset Police says the Enhanced Video Response scheme is completely victim led, giving them greater choice in how they interact with them and if the victim prefers to see an officer in person, that will always continue to be available.
Being interviewed by video gives the victim greater flexibility and privacy, while also saving costs and time for Dorset Police, with the efficiency savings being put back into front-line policing.
The initiative is already proving popular, with hundreds of people taking advantage of the video feed including a 84 year old man who wanted to report an assault.
Around 30 crimes a day across Dorset are now being considered for video interview at the request of the victims, including offences like assault, harassment, verbal threats, sextortion, criminal damage and malicious communications.
Toni gave an interview to Swanage.News via a video link
“A gentler way of giving my account”
Toni, of Purbeck, was being stalked and harassed by a former partner in September 2023 when she was persuaded to contact the police, and said:
“Within 24 hours of me filling in a form online, the police had contacted me, done a provisional risk assessment and passed that to a female police officer who gave me the option of doing an online zoom interview straight away.
“She took my statement while I was in the safety of my own home and I could see her and knew she was understanding and reacting to what I was saying, so I knew that it wasn’t AI or anything like that.
“It meant that I didn’t have to have anyone in my house at a time when I was scared and upset, I didn’t need two burly police officers in full body armour come into my home with a police car outside – it was a gentler way of being able to give my account of what had happened.
“I was already worried and any little knock on the door would have made me more nervous because of what someone had done to me – I really didn’t want anybody else in my home, but this was a way that the police could come into my home without me having to open my front door.”
Dorset Police are now dealing with up to 30 crimes a day by way of video interviews
“It gave me comfort that I was in control”
Toni added:
“It meant that I could give a statement honestly and in the comfort of my own home, with the ability to stop at any time if I needed to do that.
“It was like the police officer was there and it gave me comfort that I was in control of what was going on, which I hadn’t had for quite some time.
“I would highly recommend the scheme. Apart from all the benefits for victims like me, it gives officers who have been injured and are deskbound a chance to do some real police work rather than just filing and paperwork.
“It is beneficial both ways, but from a victim’s point of view it made the process easier for me because there wasn’t the stress of the unexpected and I had an element of security and control.”
More money can be freed up for police patrols
Shaken and scared by stalking incident
Toni was left shaken and scared after being bombarded by up to 30 messages a day from a former partner over a period of several weeks.
She has had counselling since the stalking incident, which has been dealt with fully through the legal system, with a non molestation order now in place.
Another victim who has also used the scheme said:
“It was the same as seeing an officer in person, but quicker and easier via a video call.
“I suffer with anxiety and was worried about police attending my address and what my neighbours would think. The ability to report to an officer remotely is very smart and I think it is a good idea.”
Assistant chief constable Steve Lyne: “We recognise that society is changing.”
More offenders being brought to justice
Assistant chief constable Steve Lyne, of Dorset Police, said:
“We recognise that society is changing, and victims tell us they want other ways to engage with us.
“We know that many prefer the convenience of speaking to us over a video call where they can engage more openly, and don’t feel anxious at the thought of a police car outside their home address.
“The initiative was trialled over a four-month period during the summer last year and 89 percent of victims who took part said they would recommend it to others.
“In addition, for incidents managed by our Enhanced Video Response team, we found that the number of crimes resulting in an arrest or formal suspect interview were almost four times higher.
“The number with crimes seeing a positive outcome, such as an offender being charged or given a caution, were over three times higher and the number of victims who withdrew their support for a prosecution halved, resulting in more offenders being brought to justice.”
For a victim to opt for a virtual response, they must be over the age of 18 or with a parent or guardian, have use of a smartphone with video and 4G or WiFi capability and the offender cannot be present.
Dorset Police say video technology efficiency savings can mean more police on the beat, like here at Swanage Carnival
Further information
- Report a crime to Dorset Police online
