The new Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting service will take reports or give advice at any time on non-urgent crimes and events anywhere in the state.
They include property damage, lost or located property, theft or non-urgent neighbourhood disputes, noise complaints, absence from residence registrations and PartySafe registrations.
Campaspe police Inspector Anthony Vanderzalm said with 30 per cent of all 000 calls non urgent, he expected to see an increase in response times to emergencies as well as a decrease in demand from the public.
‘‘It frees up police which means more time can be spent by police members engaging with their local communities out on the road,’’ he said. ‘‘It also frees up the communities time in that they now can report non-urgent matters over the phone and don’t have to drive down to the local police station anymore.
‘‘So I expect to see a reduction in the number of reports taken by police over the counter not just across the Campaspe Police Service Area but statewide.’’
Online Reporting, which is at police.vic.gov.au/palolr, is available through the Victoria Police website, which improves the way police information and services are found and understood online.
Calls to the Police Assistance Line, on 131444, are taken by civilian staff at a contact centre in Ballarat, under the supervision of police officers.
‘‘I really see the new reporting process as a tremendous positive,’’ Insp. Vanderzalm said.
‘‘It’s a huge step forward not only for Victoria Police but also the community.’’
Over the next 12 months, Victoria Police will run a campaign promoting the PAL and online reporting portal.
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