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[Fedster + 1,307]

West Mercia uses app to find and share precise location of people in remote rural areas.

 

Date - 13th November 2019
By - Police Oracle 

 

West Mercia Police has become one of 70 UK blue light service organisations to use an app to help pinpoint the location of people requesting assistance. 

The location technology called What3Words has divided the world into 3mx3m squares. Each square has been allocated a unique three word address which anyone can refer to their exact location by using three randomly chosen words.

Individuals use what3words around the world in cars, to find their tents at festivals, navigate to B&Bs, and to direct emergency services to an exact location.

Chief Inspector Gareth Morgan said: “Being able to identify a caller’s exact location is incredibly important as sometimes when people call us it can be difficult for them to identify their exact location.

“This app is proving really useful as it can pinpoint someone’s location no matter where they are – by the side of a motorway or in a rural location. This means we can quickly establish where people are so we can get to them as quickly as possible which could really help save lives.

“In fact it has already helped us locate people and vehicles involved in road traffic collisions so we are really starting to see the benefits of the app. I would like to encourage people to download it to their mobile phones as it is free to use.”

The app, which also works when there is no data connection as it will operate offline via GPS is available to download via the What3Words website, the App Store or Google Play.

One specialist police software developer has already embedded the app into its product.

PoliceBox says it is the first policing app to embed what3words into its mapping functionality. When adding location data into a form, officers can now choose between GPS coordinates or three words, simplifying the process of recording or finding a location. The app can also receive what3words location words from the forces’ command and control centre.

what3words is already used by over 70 emergency services around the UK, as well as organisations including the British Transport Police and UK Power Networks to locate and deploy resources to precise locations. 

Simon Hall, CEO of PoliceBox said what3words is particularly useful to officers in rural areas where there are no landmarks or signs to determine their location.

“In an emergency situation a person can find the 3 word address for their current location by opening the what3words app or visiting map.what3words.com. The 3 word address can then be given to a 999 call handler to give their precise location. Officers can also share their locations with each other and Control much more quickly by simply quoting three words.”

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[BlueBob + 692]

I’ve tried it, scanning the squares to find a set of 3 words I can remember, type easily or don’t sound to similar.  My postcode is centred @ a mile away so this could be handy, if only I find the right square!!!!!!

[SimonT + 1,185]

I use it a lot, it's super helpful, Large site, rural location, even a main road. 

It shows where you are without a long string of numbers. 

[Indiana Jones + 1,082]

14 hours ago, SimonT said:

I use it a lot, it's super helpful, Large site, rural location, even a main road. 

It shows where you are without a long string of numbers. 

Me too. I use it in my ePNB entries. Everything from location of speed cameras triggered on blue light runs, to location of the police drone launch site, to place of arrest. Much more accurate than "northbound carriageway of the M3"

[MajorDisaster + 579]

My lot are evaluating it but I've had it for a while on my phone.  I was involved in quite a nasty RTC on leave and the legal handler was talking to me today about how she couldn't find the exact location.  I sent her the 3 words coordinates.   For us with a huge rural and costal area it will be invaluable - cold dark rainy night 'Where are you?'  Three words later we will be on the move

Edited November 14, 2019 by MajorDisaster

[Murtaugh + 21]

It's a great system, hopefully more forces will get on board with it.