Where do I feel unsafe?

By Thumbprint Co-operative in partnership with Greater Manchester Police

Many inner-city areas across the UK suffer from interlinked problems, including crime and low levels of real and perceived safety. Yet these problems often go unreported because of barriers, including anonymity, perceived responsiveness and access to the right point of contact.

Where Do I Feel Unsafe? is a pilot programme in Gorton, Greater Manchester - one of the highest wards for multiple deprivation in the UK - designed to increase the reporting of these problems. The ultimate aim is to help residents feel safer in their communities and feel that they can take action where they don't feel safe.

The project uses text, a technology that is widely used even in more deprived areas. Residents are encouraged to report areas where they feel unsafe in their community to one single reporting point, regardless of the issue.

This could range from reports of broken street lighting, vandalism,and suspected drug dealing. Rather than a directory of different numbers for different services, this pilot focuses around a single need of residents - to increase a feeling of safety, and provide a simple route to addressing concerns.

Police community officers receive the text messages via a computer interface, creating a digital trail of incoming texts and responses. Officers then liaise across a range of public services to get problems fixed, with reporters given updates via text message.

We're particularly interested in whether this tool can engage younger community members in ways that feel second nature to them.