Police use Bluetooth phone link to send break-in messages to householders

One in four of all burglaries are as a result of sneak-in thefts where the thief enters the house through insecure doors or windows.

As part of a major campaign by police to urge people to be vigilant against opportunist burglars, officers in Pudsey Weetwood will trial the use technology to deliver crime-busting messages direct to mobile phones.

Police Community Support officers on patrol in the Hyde Park, Woodhouse, Burley and Headingley will be carrying mobile phones containing the campaign message – 1 in 4 Through An Unlocked Door – Stop The Sneak.

They will be able to detect other devices operating within a 30 metre radius and send the message to people using mobile phones and laptop computers.

The user will receive notification on their screen that West Yorkshire Police are making contact and can then choose to accept the request.

The technology has been developed by Innovation Leeds, part of Leeds City Council's ICT Department, which specialises in developing hi-tech solutions for police forces and local authorities in Leeds and across the UK. If the trial proves successful it will be rolled out across the Force and will be used in other crime prevention campaigns.

Pudsey Weetwood Divisonal Commander Chief Superintendent Howard Crowther said: 'We are always looking for innovative ways to deliver crime prevention advice to people. This idea is the brainchild of one of our Crime Reduction Officers PC Dave Harrison who has worked with Innovation Leeds to develop the project.'

The onset of warmer weather and light nights traditionally signals an increase in sneak-in thefts. The Force's Crime Reduction Officer Detective Inspector Duncan Macnay will launch a major summertime crime prevention campaign aimed at locking out thieves.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams on patrol in local communities will post special crime prevention leaflets printed in the shape of a footprint through windows and doors that have been left open. The message on the back of the leaflet is to keep all doors locked and windows secured at all times – even when at home. More than 80,000 footprint leaflets will be delivered by the NPTs, 200 posters will be displayed in targeted locations and 50,000 drinks mats bearing the crime prevention message will be circulated around the county.

DI Macnay said: 'People are more relaxed about security when they are at home. But while they are in the back garden or asleep, their property is particularly vulnerable. It is essential that easy points of access like front doors remain locked, particularly while the occupants are relaxing or gardening at the rear of the house. At night all ground floor doors and windows should be locked and other vulnerable points considered.

'We want householders to take a few simple precautions to ensure their homes are secure this summer.'

Further crime prevention advice is available on the West Yorkshire Police website at www.westyorkshire.police.uk or from your local crime prevention officer on 0845 6060606.

Doug Sutherland, Head of Innovation at Innovation Leeds said: 'The way West Yorkshire Police is using Bluetooth technology is very exciting. As nearly everyone who has a mobile phone has access to Bluetooth, it's becoming a highly effective way of getting important messages across.'

'The crime prevention uses for the technology doesn't stop here though. We'll be working with West Yorkshire Police to develop a range of further applications that take advantage of the technology and help promote crime prevention messages across West Yorkshire.'

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West Yorkshire Police

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