This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-34676048

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Crime victims in 'Skype' police trial Crime victims in 'Skype' Cambridgeshire police trial
(about 5 hours later)
Crime victims are being asked to speak to police on Skype instead of having an interview at home by police officers. Crime victims are being asked to speak to police on Skype instead of being interviewed at home by officers.
The trial, launched by Cambridgeshire Police, aims to free up time for neighbourhood patrols and aims to offer more flexibility for victims. The trial by Cambridgeshire Police aims to free-up time for neighbourhood patrols and offer more flexibility for victims.
But the move has been criticised as a budget-slashing measure. But the move has been criticised as a money-saving measure.
The police federation raised concerns for those unable to use or afford computers, adding cuts to policing made it impossible to visit burgled homes. The Police Federation raised concerns for those people unable to use or afford the technology required for the online audio-visual call system.
The Cambridgeshire force claimed using Skype, a software programme which uses the internet to make telephone and video calls, will provide greater flexibility for victims, as well as allowing better response times. The Cambridgeshire force claimed Skype will provide greater flexibility for victims, as well as allowing better response times.
The Home Office said it would be up to other individual forces to decide on whether adopt a similar approach.The Home Office said it would be up to other individual forces to decide on whether adopt a similar approach.
While home visits to some people will still be possible, officers will only undertake them "where necessary" as part of the trial. While police home visits to some people will still be possible in the trial, officers will only undertake them "where necessary" .
Oz Merrygold, secretary of Cambridgeshire Police Federation, said that due to cuts to policing it is "just not possible anymore" to send officers out on crimes such as burgled homes. Oz Merrygold, secretary of Cambridgeshire Police Federation, said due to cuts to policing it is "just not possible anymore" to send officers out on crimes such as burgled homes.
'Personal crimes' He claimed police roles need to be "redefined" and "austerity" measures meant forces having to take difficult decisions, leading to technological solutions.
"We're having to redefine the way we police," he said. Analysis:
Mr Merrygold said "austerity" measures meant police forces were having to take difficult decisions and technology meant contact via social media was inevitable. Dr Daniel Dresner, cyber security lecturer University of Manchester
Retired London officer Norman Brennan said "personal" crimes require officers to visit a person's home. It wouldn't be possible to the 'average Joe' to hack these calls but it's a bigger debate about whether it's actually possible. I would hope that the police computers would be secure.
He wrote: "Burglary victims need an officer to attend their home it's a personal crime!" We've seen cases where webcams can be hacked. That's not anything to do with Skype, it's the fact that the whole set up might not be secure, including the webcam and computer.
Supt Melanie Dales, area commander for Peterborough, said using Skype would make things easier for people with busy lives: "This initiative will bring the police more in line with other services, such as doctors' surgeries, and as with the health service, our emergency response will be there when required. But it's a relatively low risk compared to whether it's an appropriate way to conduct interviews.
"It will allow officers, who use a large proportion of their time travelling across the city to and from appointments, more time to patrol their neighbourhoods." That's why it's a question not only for technologists but also psychologists.
I would be worried about the quality of an interview which is conducted remotely over Skype compared to a normal interview with the cues and cares that you would have with a normal face-to-face interview.
I would have thought there were dos and don'ts and recommendations for conducting an interview over the internet.
Supt Melanie Dales, area commander for Peterborough, said using Skype would make things easier for people with busy lives: "This initiative will bring the police more in line with other services, such as doctors' surgeries and our emergency response will be there when required.
"It will allow officers, who use a large proportion of time travelling to and from appointments, more time to patrol their neighbourhoods."
A spokeswoman for the National Police Chiefs' Council said: "Police are expecting further significant reductions to budgets as well as responding to changes in crime and demand on the service.
"All chiefs are having to prioritise and look at where they can make savings or provide services differently so that they can continue to provide the vital services that reduce crime and protect people."