STRATEGIC PARTNERS
March 17, 2005
icWales: The United Kingdom has launched its first "virtual" police station in Mumbles, South Wales. The kiosk, inside the lobby of the Mumbles police station, will be accessible when the station is closed. It provides Internet access, including a webcam allowing people to speak face-to-face with an officer at a manned station. The virtual station is monitored by closed-circuit television, which South Wales Police say is designed to protect anyone who feels they might be in danger while officers are en route. People visiting the station outside of business hours will also be able to report lost and found property, e-mail their local community officer and access the force's Web site. Chief Constable Barbara Wilding said, "South Wales Police has 114 operational police stations, the vast majority of which were built during a period when people were much less mobile. As a consequence, some of our stations are not where we would put them if we were building them today. "Not so long ago, every community had a highly visible red telephone box located close by. That is the level of provision I would like to see for kiosks." Click here to read the full story.