Victims can now opt to speak to an officer over live video rather than seeing them in person following the launch of Enhanced Video Response.
Where there is no immediate threat, risk or harm requiring officers to attend in person there and then, victims are being given the choice of speaking to an officer over live video for enquiries to be conducted and statements taken.
The new initiative is completely victim led, giving them greater choice in how they interact with Dorset Police and if the victim prefers to see an officer in person, that will always continue to be available.
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 for many, they prefer the convenience of speaking to us over a video call where they can engage more openly, and they 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 per cent 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, with crimes seeing a positive outcome, such as an offender being charged or given a caution, over three times higher. The number of victims who withdraw their support for a prosecution also halved resulting in more offenders being brought to justice.”
When a victim is reporting a crime or incident, a risk assessment will take place and if there is no immediate threat, risk or harm and the report doesn’t require emergency attendance, they will be offered a physical or virtual response. A virtual response has been chosen by a complete cross section of society, with the oldest victim being an 84-year-old man who was reporting an assault from the previous day and was happy to talk to an officer via his smartphone.
One victim who chose a video response wrote to the Force to say: “At the time I made this report I was feeling very vulnerable and anxious as I was being stalked. I was so anxious that allowing a stranger into my home, even a police officer, was a traumatic option for me. The video call facility was the perfect way to actually see the officer without having a stranger in my home. The officer was very empathetic and made me feel safe and valued.”
Another said: “Really amazing response. I felt heard and the officer really helped me. Perfect response.” With a third saying: “It was the same as seeing an officer in person, but quicker and easier via a video call. I suffer with anxiety; I worry about police attending my address and what my neighbours will think. The ability to report to an officer remotely is very smart and I think it is a good idea.”
Enhanced Video Response also enables Dorset Police to offer better value for money to the taxpayer, with increased efficiency, better use of officer time and a reduction in vehicle costs, fuel and maintenance. With the Force’s fleet of over 450 vehicles typically travelling around 3.7 million miles per year, the reduction in carbon emissions and wider environmental impact is significant too.
This efficiency saving is being invested back into the front-line, with Dorset Police continuing to help reduce response times to emergency calls requiring immediate or urgent in person attendance, improving the service to Dorset communities.
For a victim to opt for a virtual response, they must be over the age of 18 or with a parent/guardian, have use a of a smartphone with video and 4G/WiFi capability and the offender cannot be present.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “I welcome the roll-out of Enhanced Video Response (EVR) in Dorset. I am fully committed to ensuring our county becomes the safest in the country and initiatives such as this are key to delivering a victim-led approach which offers people a modern-day choice as to how they engage with officers.
“I want to be clear; this is a choice for victims, and those who prefer to meet with an officer in person will still be able to do that. However, many victims, both young and old, have chosen to use the service because it suited the way they wanted their case dealt with.
“EVR provides a vital platform to deliver victims of crime greater choice in how they engage with Dorset Police, and I look forward to seeing further results and feedback as this initiative progresses.”
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