Victoria Police upgrades online crime reporting for efficiency

Serco has completed a project to enhance the Online Crime Reporting capabilities for Victoria Police, aimed at increasing efficiency in reporting non-emergency crimes.

Serco has operated the Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting services for Victoria Police since 2019, utilising its experience in contact centre management and digital advisory services. The company reports that since taking on this work, it has returned over 600,000 policing hours to the frontline, allowing officers to dedicate more time to responding to emergencies and community policing activities.

The latest upgrade to the Online Reporting platform introduces a streamlined and user-friendly process, including a step-by-step reporting guide and the capability for users to save a report and return to complete it later. Additionally, new reporting categories such as Burglary and Theft of Motor Vehicle have been introduced to the online service.

According to Serco, these platform expansions are expected to reduce further the time police need to spend processing non-emergency reports. The system aims to enhance the efficiency of incident reporting and ensure consistency in the management of non-emergency crimes.

Paul Clark, Serco's VicPol Contract Manager, said, "We continue to work in a collaborative partnership with Victoria Police delivering first-class innovative and cost-effective community policing services to Victorians. We expect to see even more significant frontline hour savings from this project."

The new Online Reporting platform is designed to enable members of the public to report certain crimes more conveniently, reducing the requirement to visit a police station or make a phone call. By digitising the reporting of non-emergency incidents, the platform aims to provide benefits both for police resources and community members needing to lodge a report.

Serco states that the ongoing partnership with Victoria Police underpins a broader strategy of harnessing digital solutions to support public sector efficiency. The company's work with Victoria Police is described as a continued effort to improve procedural ease, operational consistency and service delivery outcomes for the community.

Serco said, "We are thrilled to be able to add even greater value to Victorian police officers and the broader community with an enhanced, simplified user experience and the introduction of further reporting options. It's yet another way we're working to Impact a Better Future."

The Online Reporting platform will enable Victoria Police officers to focus on urgent priorities and reduce the administrative workload associated with traditional reporting channels. Serco has indicated that it will continue to collaborate with Victoria Police on additional improvements to the service as part of its commitment to delivering effective police support solutions.