News

British police find public-access kiosks arresting

April 22, 2002

BATH, England -- Improved police accessibility, in the form of front-office renovations and kiosks, is the aim of a new pilot program launched at the Bath Police Station on April 18.

The program, launched by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, whose jurisdiction includes Bath, is designed to bring the police closer to the public. The kiosk provides access to the constabulary's Web site along with area health care, traffic, and government information. The front office also includes three private interview rooms for the public's use in reporting crimes.

"The front office is one of the public faces of the police," Rod Hansen, Bath and North East Somerset Police District commander, said in a department statement. "For many people it is the first impression they have of the police service.

"We have tried to make the new area as welcoming as possible," he added, "and we have installed many new facilities which will increase public reassurance and make police enquiries a much simpler and more accessible process."

The kiosks were built by UK-based enclosure manufacturer CyberD.com Ltd.