Police launch mobile app to trace riot suspects (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Police launch mobile app to help trace London riot suspects

10:21am Tuesday 26th June 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

Londoners can help bring to justice those involved in last summer's riots thanks to a new app launched by police today.

After reviewing hours of CCTV footage, police have identified and uploaded 2,880 images to the Facewatch App, which they are urging the public to download and view.

App users are able to enter a postcode and then click through a selection of CCTV images of unidentified people the police would like to speak to.

If the user recognises a person in one of the images, they have the opportunity to enter the name and or address of the person shown, which is then sent to the police.

As well as having images of those wanted in connection with the disorder, the app also targets low level crimes such as shoplifting or anti-social behaviour.

A further 2,000 images not related to last year's disorder have also been uploaded.

MPS Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, head of Specialist Crime and Operations, said: "This is a great opportunity for the public to help us fight crime and bring those who remain outstanding to justice.

"My hope is the two-thirds of Londoners who own smartphones will download this APP and help us identify people we still need to speak to.

"We need Londoners to browse through the App every week or so as new images will appear regularly."

The app works across all smartphone and table computer platforms and is free to download. The content can also be accessed on computers by visiting facewatchid.co.uk