Quick-thinking houseboat resident praised by West Yorkshire Police after using phone app to locate crime

A West Yorkshire houseboat resident has been praised by police after using an innovative app to help officers locate a crime.

The man called the police on Wednesday to report a public order offence right outside his boat in the Shipley area.

Using the What3Words app, which divides the world into 3m x 3m squares with a unique word address, the man was able to confirm his exact location with police.

Officers were able to find his houseboat immediately and attend the incident.

The man called the police on Wednesday to report a public order offence outside his boat (stock image)placeholder image
The man called the police on Wednesday to report a public order offence outside his boat (stock image)

The West Yorkshire Police Contact Management Centre praised the man on Twitter.

They said: "Great use of @what3words.

"Caller reporting a public order offence right outside his house boat, app used and exact location confirmed and also assists officers finding the houseboat straight away."

The What3Words app gives every three-metre square of the world a unique combination of three words.

It is designed to help emergency services find a location without using an address.

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