The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has today, Wednesday 23rd April, launched a new pilot scheme called 'Virtual Officer Attendance', offering victims of crime the option of a video call with an officer as an alternative to telephone resolution or in-person attendance. The four-week pilot programme is now underway.

A dedicated 'Virtual Officer Attendance Hub' has been established at Castlereagh Police Station to facilitate the pilot. The team consists of three sergeants and 16 constables from across Northern Ireland, all of whom have received specialised training on the implementation of the new process.

The virtual service will be available to victims of crime in situations where there is no immediate threat, risk, or harm requiring an in-person police response. Instead, officers will be able to conduct enquiries and take statements via the video call. Victims will also have the capability to securely share digital evidence, such as videos, photographs, or screenshots, through platforms like Box or GoodSAM, the system underpinning the Virtual Officer Attendance service. The PSNI emphasises that this pilot aims to provide victims with greater choice in how they engage with the police. The option of an in-person visit from an officer will remain available for those who prefer it. To utilise the virtual service, victims must be over the age of 18. Those aged 17 or under can still use the service but will need an appropriate adult present during the call. Additionally, victims will need a smartphone or device with video and 4G or Wi-Fi capability, and the alleged offender cannot be present during the virtual interaction. Importantly, using Virtual Officer Attendance will not consume the victim's mobile data allowance.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson of Local Policing commented on the initiative: "Our Virtual Officer Attendance pilot is yet another example of working closely with our Information and Communications Services (ICS) department to utilise technology more to offer a wider range of ways to connect with victims of crime and the community that we serve. In a modern world, these options can be far more suitable for members of the public to access, as well as reducing demand on our frontline officers, allowing them to focus on other time-sensitive matters."

ACC Henderson also highlighted the potential for cost savings and increased efficiency. "Whilst aiming to improve the service we provide as an organisation to the public, this enhanced service in turn should also provide cost savings to our organisation, making us more responsive to our community needs. One simple example is rather than a police vehicle arriving at a victim's house holding a minimum of two officers, just one officer will be needed for the Virtual Officer Attendance option with no travel time, petrol expense or other colleagues required."

The PSNI collaborated with Dorset Police, who implemented a similar system in 2023, to develop this service. ACC Henderson noted the positive outcomes in Dorset, where victim satisfaction reportedly increased significantly. "Once the four week pilot concludes, the Virtual Officer Attendance option will still continue. The pilot will serve to provide the project group with findings that will be reviewed with a view to the system being brought into the organisation permanently."