Police to use Bluetooth to find witnesses around crime scenes

Published on Monday 29 December 2008 09:16

DETECTIVES investigating murders, fatal accidents and other serious crimes in the Capital are set to send Bluetooth text messages to find witnesses.

The force purchased a Bluetooth transmitter which will allow officers to beam messages straight to mobile phone users asking for information.

The device was initially bought to promote an anti-drink driving message this Christmas and hundreds of messages have already been sent out to revellers in the last two weeks.

But the transmitter, which cost 2000, looks set to play a vital role in seeking information during future investigations.

Officers will be able to send out texts to anyone in the area surrounding a crime scene, urging them to contact police or call Crimestoppers in anonymity.

The messages even have a feature allowing phone users to save the Crimestoppers number in their address book by pressing a single button. The system could prove especially useful in contacting young people who may be reluctant to come forward and prefer to use their phones.

Officers say the transmissions would not invade the privacy of phone users as the device does not record the details of those accepting the messages.

Inspector Colin Shillito said: "We purchased this transmitter to help draw public attention to our drink driving message this Christmas. It's especially useful in trying to reach that 17 to 25 age group.

"This is the first device in use by a Scottish police force and I can see many more uses for it. I'm expecting to hear from CID with requests to use the transmitter during their inquiries. It would be very useful for witness appeals.

"That would also be the case for traffic accidents where people travelling regularly in that area who may have witnessed something could be reached."

Insp Shillito revealed that 420 phone users had received Bluetooth text messages urging them not to drink and drive in the two weekends since December 12.

He said: "That's a brilliant result using only one transmitter on a dozen occasions."

The transmitter has been driven to locations where large numbers of drinkers are gathered, with each broadcast reaching any Bluetooth-enabled phone within a radius of 50 metres.

Insp Shillito said the force moved to buy the transmitter after learning that the RAF were using them to run recruitment adverts.