A NEW public contact point, which will enable people to report crime and lost property, has been launched at Brentwood library.

The self-service device, which looks like a giant smart phone, is being trialled for three-months by Essex Police as the force modernises the way it can be contacted by the public.

The device, which is housed in the library in New Road, Brentwood enables people to report a crime, report lost or found property, find out information about local amenities and can signpost people to partner agencies, such as the local authority, to find help for issues such as noise nuisance, potholes and street lighting.

The point will be available for public use during library opening hours and offers another way for residents to contact police.

Brentwood District Commander Chief Insp Denise Morrissey said: "Essex Police has a programme of work to improve and modernise the ways in which the public can contact us.

"The way residents contact police must reflect the way we live our lives and that means with more effective and efficient technology."As part of that programme we are trialling these public contact points which enable people to report crime and lost or found items.

"Thanks to our partners in Essex County and Brentwood Borough Councils this point is centrally and conveniently located in the library and provides the same access to information and crime reporting as our website.

"We want people who don’t need us in an emergency to think carefully about how they contact us and whether the information they’re looking for can be found online via our website or new contact points because that gives officers more time to fight crime.

"However we still need people to dial 999 if they have an emergency or are in immediate danger.”

People can however also continue to report a crime by calling 101 or using the new report it online feature on the Essex Police website.

Roger Hirst, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: "The public contact point pilot programme is offering new ways for people to report crime and lost or found property to Essex Police.

"The Brentwood library location is at the heart of the community, and I hope people find it provides a valuable and convenient additional means of contacting Essex Police.

Cllr Anne Brown, Essex County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for libraries said: "We have spoken in the past about the importance of utilising the great locations of our libraries to provide a wider range of services, and our desire to create community hub style facilities. This partnership with the police is a good example of this and we will be following the trials with interest.”

Public contact points are being trialled at: Brentwood library, Harwich library and police stations in Rayleigh and Grays.

Brentwood library is open: 9am to 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 1pm on Wednesday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and closed on Sunday.