Police Scotland turns to what3words location technology

POLICE Scotland has become the latest high-profile organisation to adopt the clever what3words navigation technology.

It means motorists and other members of the public in difficulty can now use the smartphone app or what3words website to allow officers to easily pinpoint their precise location.

The company behind the scheme has divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and given each one a unique what3words address – made up of three words from the dictionary.

With police officers and control room staff now trained and able to use the app, it should benefit those calling 999 or 101 from remote spots or areas with which they are unfamiliar.

The app is already used by the majority of emergency services across the UK, including Scottish

Fire and Rescue and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

What3words will also help to support local policing incidents and pre-planned operations and events.

Superintendent Iain MacLelland said: “What3words will help frontline police officers and staff to locate members of the public quickly when they are calling from an unknown or rural area.

“The introduction of what3words is a great additional resource for our communities and our officers who serve them.

“When Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease, we know that people may want to venture further from home to remote or rural locations.”

Many Scottish businesses have also turned to the technology to help them deal more efficiently with the boom in online delivery orders during lockdown.

And motoring outfits such as the AA breakdown organisation and ChargePlace Scotland, the national electric vehicle public charging network, make use of the groundbreaking addressing system.

Road Record witnessed its effectiveness first-hand with Land Rover in a healthcare roll-out on Mull in 2018. What3words boss Chris

Sheldrick added: “With beautiful coastlines, Highlands, lochs and world-famous events like the Edinburgh Fringe, Scotland is full of wonderful destinations.

“But many of these locations can be difficult to communicate, particularly in an emergency.

“With the UK anticipating another staycation boom this summer, it’s brilliant to know that people can explore everything the country has to offer safe in the knowledge that all emergency services in Scotland now use and accept what3words addresses to find callers in need, even in the most remote areas.”