New mobile and online reporting tool allows Londoners to report 'grime crime'

Londoners are being urged to help report 'grime crime' such as graffiti, litter and fly-tipping via a new reporting tool for use on mobile phones and online.

The new system, called 'Love Clean London' works by allowing people to upload photographs onto an online map of environmental issues that require action by the local authority.

Users can track progress of clean-ups whilst also delivering financial savings for boroughs and the system gives people an easy way to help their borough keep communities clean, receive prompt action when a report is sent and help boroughs direct their resources to the areas that need them most.

Users can submit reports using a free mobile phone application, send a text or visit the web portal. A GPS signal enables participating boroughs to receive the report as an email to then action. An interactive map shows all the reports, updating on the progress taken. The website shows environmental black-spots and also places where clean ups have taken place either by councils or volunteers.

The system was invented and pioneered by Lewisham council, who has been pioneering the use of this system for more than five years.

The council has been able to hold street cleansing spending at 2003/04 levels whilst experiencing significant improvements in customer satisfaction, clean-up times and standards.

Love Clean London is built on 'Azure' cloud computing technology from Microsoft. Londoners can submit reports using a free Windows Phone 7 or other smartphone app which can be downloaded from the cloud. There people can see and search for all the reports in their area and share them through social networking sites, review progress, or subscribe to updates.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "In tough financial times, this smart use of technology can deliver genuine savings whilst encouraging people to take an active pride in their local environment."

Further information:
Greater London Authority