A high-tech initiative to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Dudley borough, including making it easier for people to send smartphone and dashboard camera footage of issues, has been launched.

Dudley Council has teamed up with police for the 'Together We Can' Initiative which aims to make better use of technology in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. It includes looking into the potential to tap into new technology such as footage from people’s dashboard cameras, smartphone videos and other digital devices.

The partnership organisations want people to report issues such as anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, dog fouling, graffiti, driving offences fraud and many more. Both partner agencies will streamline how they share information, making it easier for people to report problems. Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for communities, said:

"We want to be at the forefront of making streets safer and communities stronger. New technology has given us an ideal opportunity to make it easier for people to report issues to us. That could be online including the uploading of photographs of fly-tipping, or someone’s dangerous driving from a dashboard camera.

"We are clear that we are not asking people to monitor others, however if by chance someone has captured footage on dashcams or smartphones, we want to make it easier for people to share that with us.”

Chief Superintendent Sally Bourner, Dudley police commander, added:

"Digital channels provide a convenient and easy way for local people to connect with Dudley Council and West Midlands Police on a wide range of issues.

"Our Together We Can work reflects the fact that local people are the eyes and ears of our communities and this is another opportunity for them to tell us about the issues affecting their lives.”

Residents can report and upload council issues such as housing, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour via fixmystreet.com. They can also visit west-midlands.police.uk to access advice 24/7, and report non-emergency incidents via the new live chat facility (between 8am and midnight).

Residents are also encouraged to sign up to neighbourhood policing alerts at wmnow.co.uk. Out of hours, or if you are unable to access the internet, you can call 101.