New app to help police

Rutherglen and Cambuslang residents who need to call the police on 999 or 101 can now use a phone app to identify their location when they are in an unknown or remote area.

Police Scotland have introduced what3words as an additional location sharing tool.

What3words grids the Earth into 3x3 metre squares by encoding GPS coordinates to give each square a unique set of three words.

This means that when someone contacts the Police, they have the option to use what3words if they are in an unfamiliar area, rural location or one that is difficult to describe.

Police Scotland service advisors will always ask for a postal address as default when someone calls 999/101 – this will not change.

The app is already in use by the majority of emergency services, including Scottish Fire and Rescue and Scottish Ambulance Service.

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

Superintendent Iain MacLelland, from the digitally enabled policing programme, said:“The introduction of what3words is a great additional resource for our communities and our officers who serve them.

“It’s also important to highlight that, when COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease, we know people may venture further from home, to remote or rural locations.

“What3words does not change the requirement to ensure you are properly prepared if heading to the hills; always have a map and compass and ensure that you have your route planned out in advance.”