PEOPLE will be able to report crime online from next April.

Essex Police is rolling out a system where victims of crime will be able to report, monitor and contact officers in regards to incidents.

People with lost property will also be able to search online for missing items. Committee members at the meeting said they were concerned about older people, who may not have access to the internet.

Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston said he expected the 101 service, which handles about one million calls each year, to remain the “favourite” with people reporting crime.