Bedfordshire Police has launched a new app for people to report incidents and behaviour which leaves them feeling unsafe.
Flare is being aimed at women and girls to empower them to anonymously report any incidents or threatening behaviour.
While crimes that need an immediate response should still be reported to police in the usual way, behaviour that can be reported via the app includes things such as cat-calling, wolf-whistling and drinks spiking.
The app can be downloaded for free via the App store or Google Play and it takes less than a minute to submit a report via the app.
We will then use data from the app to target patrols and enforcement by police officers as well as local authority enforcement teams.
The app has been launched as part of the Safer Streets project, which has brought together local partners across Bedfordshire to improve the safety of women and girls in public spaces.
While it is being targeted at women and girls specifically, anyone can report an incident via the Flare app.
We want to encourage people to speak up and report things in whatever way they feel most comfortable.
There is lots of ways you can do that here in Bedfordshire, in addition to the Flare app.
Crimestoppers – anonymous reporting service for crime.
Fearless – anonymous reporting service for crime aimed at young people.
StreetSafe – a police website where you can report public places where you feel unsafe.
You can always report things to police via our online reporting centre.
The Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership also has a list of support services for different issues you can talk to.
You can watch a demo of the Flare app on YouTube.
Find out more about the Safer Streets project by visiting the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner's website.
