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.
By Abbey Maclure
Published 7th Jan 2021, 06:00 BST
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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.

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

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

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