The ability to text and email incidents of crime to the police will undoubtedly save time and hassle for both victim and officer.

In a way, it is surprising that a system has not already been in place for some time. Many people's experience of minor crime is that it is unlikely to be followed up by officers in any event.

It is a sad reflection, however, on the state of crime and law enforcement in this country. Many hark back with nostalgia to the era of the bobby on the beat. In those days much of this low-grade crime would not have been recorded at all but would have been dealt with in a personal way.

If the text and email scheme is to be really successful then it must be seen as a way of freeing up officer time to give that personal service when it is most required.