Digital contact that ‘fits with modern lifestyles’

Lincolnshire Police is further embracing online digital engagement with the public by becoming the latest force to adopt a “modern and effective” way for victims to follow the progress of a criminal investigation. Track My Crime, used by ten other forces, enables victims and witnesses to receive updates on the progress of their case online. The secure system even emails people to tell them an update is waiting for them to see. Victims and witnesses first receive an email explaining how to register with their own password on Track My Crime. They will then be able to sign in using their surname, crime number, date of birth and their own password. When updates have been posted the user will get an alert email. Superintendent Kieran English, head of contact management at Lincolnshire Police, stressed that Track My Crime will not replace existing forms of communication between officers and victims but instead “provides an extra choice” for a method of contact. “Track My Crime will enable the public who have been the victim of a crime to receive updates from officers on the progress of their investigation, online, at any time,” he said. “This is another development which enables the public to engage with the police effectively, using systems that fit with modern lifestyles”. The launch comes just three months after Lincolnshire Police introduced a new system allowing residents to report crimes online and is part of a drive by police and crime commissioner Marc Jones to put victims at the fore of new services. Mr Jones has pledged to “continue to transform Lincolnshire Police into a modern and innovative force” that can “tackle the changing nature of crime and respond to differing community needs”. “Of course, it’s crucial that we continue to minimise the number of people who become victims of crime, but equally we must ensure that those who do fall prey to criminals are at the forefront of our thinking,” he said. “We must make certain that victims of crime, the young, the old and the vulnerable get help to protect themselves and to cope and recover and this development is one further step on that path.” Mr Jones added: “As doubts remain about our funding in the future it is also imperative that we find innovative ways to serve our residents and I will continue to work with the force to ensure communications with the public are modern and effective.”