'Scan a PC' scheme helping force connect to public

Insp Greg Davies said he was proud of the scheme, which he came up with in his hometown

A new scheme allowing members of the public to "scan an officer" in order to receive crime alerts, policing updates and security advice has been launched.

Officers in Harrogate have begun wearing a QR code badge on their uniform, which links to North Yorkshire Police's community messaging platform.

The service allows people to receive emails or texts with information about crime and policing where they live or work.

Insp Greg Davies, who came up with the idea, said it had helped him and his colleagues to "reach out to our communities, to spread as much information as we can and have that good relationship".

He said: "When you're a police officer, talking to people face-to-face is a really important part of the job. But we don't want the conversation to end there.

"The 'scan an officer' initiative helps people quickly and easily sign up to Community Messaging while they talk to us. So they can carry on finding out what we're doing about the things that matter to them in their community."

The scheme is currently being piloted in Harrogate, with neighbourhood police officers also wearing QR codes in York.

A police spokesperson said it had the potential to be rolled out across the force.

Neighbourhood officers on patrol in Harrogate have welcomed the new system.

"It's quicker, it's a shorter interaction, which is what members of the public like," PC Tom Lister said.

"They don't want to be filling out forms and giving out telephone numbers or email addresses."

PC Sarah Danby said the community messaging platform was a "really good direct way to engage with the public".

PC Tom Lister and PC Sarah Danby said members of the public found the QR codes "easier" than writing down a web address

According to the force more than 26,500 people have signed up to the Community Messaging platform, which has been running for a number of years.

Local officers use the website to share messages about crimes and crime patterns in particular areas, and to issue safety advice.

However, this is the first time members of the public have been able to scan a QR code worn by an officer to register for the service.

Insp Davies said he was "really proud" of the new scheme.

"All the information that I can get back from community messaging, we can use to investigate crimes or to put a focus on different areas depending on what's going on," he said.

"It's also an opportunity for us to feed that relevant and vital information out to our residents and communities to keep them safe."

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