POLICE will literally be ringing in the changes - to speed up the process of cracking crime.

From now on, West Mercia officers called out to a crime scene will use the victim's home telephone to ring through details of the incident to their divisional police station.

By calling the freephone number, the crime information is relayed and logged onto the police computer immediately, improving the chance of finding the culprit.

In the past, officers would have to complete lengthy paperwork once they had returned to the police station and the information would then have to be faxed through to the Crime Desk before being logged onto the computer system.

This meant victims would have to wait days for a crime number, essential for insurance claims.

"The direct dial system is very simple and cuts down on a bureaucratic system of paperwork meaning we can get on with the job of detecting crime that much quicker," said Det Chief Insp Martin Lakeman, of Worcester police.

"Importantly for officers - and to the public - it also means less time spent returning to the police station to complete paperwork.

"This is good news as it will enable officers to remain on the streets for longer, providing additional visibility and enhanced public reassurance.

"It's important to stress that this call is free and the support of the public for this new system is very important. I'm confident it will result in an enhanced service

"It will also operate at our police station front counters, enabling members of the public reporting crimes to be dealt with faster by reducing waiting time.

"However, incidents of a more sensitive nature may not be dealt with in this way, thus ensuring that confidentiality is maintained."