This article was originally published by Tech UK.
For any modern police force, the efficient and accessible reporting of non-emergency crimes is crucial, reducing pressure on front-line teams and improving access to information and support for the public. Traditional methods, such as phone calls and in-person visits to police stations, can be time-consuming and inconvenient, as well as costly for forces at a time when budgets and resources are increasingly under pressure. The Single Online Home (SOH) platform, developed by CDS (for NPCC’s Digital Public Contact programme), addresses these challenges by providing a user-friendly, 24/7 accessible platform for reporting crimes and accessing police services.
Hailed as the most significant change in UK policing since the 999-emergency number was rolled out across the UK in 1976, this innovative solution empowers citizens to report crimes online, streamlining the reporting process and reducing the burden on traditional policing procedures. By leveraging technology, the Single Online Home platform offers a more efficient and convenient way for the public to engage with police forces.
Single Online Home utilises modern technology to deliver a seamless user experience.
The platform is built on Optimizely, a powerful Content Management System (CMS), that empowers non-technical users to create and manage high-quality content such as crime prevention information.
One of the key benefits of Optimizely is its ability to manage content centrally, ensuring consistency across all forces. However, it also allows for customisation, enabling individual forces to add personalised content relevant to their specific needs. For example, a rural force might prioritise information on rural crime prevention, while an urban force might focus on other, more locally, pressured issues. This flexibility ensures that the platform remains relevant and effective for different users regardless of location.
Cloudflare, a web security and performance platform, is a vital component of SOH's infrastructure. Cyber security is a critical consideration for any public-facing website and Single Online Home, which is constantly under threat from bad actors all over the world, is no exception. Robust security measures are essential. Cloudflare helps to protect the platform by blocking malicious traffic, mitigating DDoS attacks and optimising performance. Leveraging Cloudflare's advanced security features and content delivery network ensures a seamless user experience without compromising the integrity of sensitive information collected on the platform.
The future of emergency services lies in leveraging technology to improve communication and personalisation. Optimizely enables tailored content delivery, ensuring that citizens receive relevant information based on their specific needs and location. This personalised approach can enhance public engagement and foster trust in policing more widely.
AI can play a role in transforming services by streamlining processes, improving decision-making, and thereby enhance public safety. By automating routine tasks, AI could free up officers' time to focus on complex investigations and community engagement.
AI-powered systems can also analyse vast amounts of data to identify patterns, predict trends, and therefore enable the allocation of resources more effectively. Additionally, AI can enhance communication between emergency services and the public. Chatbots can provide instant support and information, while virtual assistants can guide citizens through complex procedures.
By embracing technology and innovation, emergency services can continue to evolve and better serve the needs of their communities.
The success of the Single Online Home platform is a testament to the power of technology to transform emergency services. So far CDS has assisted the onboarding of 40 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales to the platform. By streamlining processes, improving accessibility, and fostering collaboration, Single Online Home has significantly enhanced the user experience for both the public and internal users within each force, and significantly improved the efficiency of reporting non-emergency crimes. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative solutions to emerge, shaping the future of the platform.