A Teesside-based digital studio has been named as the successful organisation tasked with building Cleveland’s first ever policing app.
Alt Labs, based in Stockton-on-Tees, will craft an app to give residents the opportunity to feed information directly to Cleveland Police and other agencies.
The project was one of Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner’s election pledges and is now a central objective of his newly published Police and Crime Plan.
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “From the outset I’ve called for a greater use of technology to improve the way Cleveland Police serves our communities.
“This includes making it as simple as possible for the public to pass on information and engage with the force’s officers and staff.
“In addition to the force’s website and the Force Control Room, the new app will allow residents to provide information to the force from their handheld devices.
“We’re delighted to have a Teesside-based organisation like Alt Labs on board to assist us in developing this exciting product to make Cleveland safer.”
The Alt Labs team will work closely with the PCC’s office, Cleveland Police and Cleveland’s communities to develop an app which best meets the needs of the area.
Whilst initially information entered into the app will not elicit an operational police response, there are plans to enable people to report crimes as the technology develops.
Alt Labs CEO Imran Anwar has his own experience with policing, having previously served as a special constable with Durham Constabulary.
He said: “The collaboration between Alt Labs Agency and Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office is a vital step in providing our community with an easy way to report issues and provide feedback on matters which are important to them.
“The app will be developed for Apple iOS and Android Platforms allowing users to simply and quickly report issues or provide feedback on community concerns regarding policing.
“As a former Special Police Constable myself it is encouraging to see that Cleveland Police are creating innovative and forwarding thinking technology to help provide alternative ways of engagement and communication with the force.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has welcomed news that the app development is underway.
He said: “It’s fantastic news that Cleveland Police are rolling out this innovative app that will make it quicker and easier for local people across Teesside and Hartlepool to report issues to their police force.
“Teesside is quickly establishing itself as a powerhouse for digital and creative industries which is brilliant news for jobs in our region.
“Development of this app by Stockton-based Alt Labs is putting money in the pockets of local people for themselves and their families. It’s great that this app will be developed in Teesside for Teessiders, crucial to ensuring safer streets across our region.”