A police station in the Mumbles has unveiled its new interactive kiosk, the first of several South Wales Police intend to introduce across the region later on in the year. The kiosks have been developed in partnership with BT and include a videophone on which people can speak directly to a control room officer at any time.
The kiosks, which will also provide internet access, aim to give the public 24 hour access to the police in areas where that may not have been previously available.
The scheme is being piloted in the Swansea Police Station but South Wales Police plans to install similar units in other police station foyers, as well as in supermarkets and hospital accident and emergency departments. Kiosks will also replace selected BT phone boxes. Paul Hendron, Director of BT Payphones commented: “Although the concept of Police Forces using Multimedia Kiosks is not new, developing video telephony as part of the offering is.”
A number of security features have been included in Mumbles ‘virtual’ police station; if an individual feels threatened they can use the kiosk to seal off the foyer and be monitored by CCTV until a response vehicle arrives.
A spokesperson for South Wales Police insisted that the installations are not being made alongside any closure programme for police stations, but will instead provide an alternative method of contacting the police. While the scheme should make communication with the police easier for those in more remote areas of the region, is it really a satisfactory alternative to a physical police presence?