CRIMES could be reported using smartphone apps under proposals by Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Francis Habgood.

Mr Habgood has said technology would start to play a bigger part in the way the force interacts with people in the coming years.

But he said it would not replace the 999 service and pledged to protect frontline services from further cuts.

The chief constable said that many people no longer walked into their bank to deal with their finances and instead did so online or using an app on a smartphone or tablet.

He said police forces had to continue to adapt to the way people work in a digital world.

Mr Habgood said: “As I have gone around the force talking to people they have been talking about technology, making better use of it and making sure we give our staff the right technology so they can do their job effectively.

“But also so that members of the public can contact the police in the way that they would choose.

“We are always going to have to have a 999 service.

“But actually there are probably more opportunities for people to contact the police using an app.

“There are probably some services that you can get over the internet or through conversations and web chat.

“But then there are many others you would want to get a personal service for.

“Technology can play a real part in the way we do our business but also for the public.”

Mr Habgood said he would also defend traditional policing and said frontline officers would be aided by technology.

In April the Oxford Mail reported that more than 650 officers and staff were to be cut by Thames Valley Police in the next three years to help it save almost £22m by 2017/18.

Mr Habgood said: “We have done a lot in terms of budget reductions over the past few years.

“We have taken more money out this year, with £59m over the past four years and £30m this year.

“We will wait and see what George Osborne has in store for us and what the Home Office does in terms of the grant it provides for policing.

“It is going to be challenging.

“We will continue to try and find non-staff cost savings and make sure we can protect frontline services and concentrate on those areas which are more important to the public.

“We are going to have fewer people working in policing, there is no doubt about that.

“I will try and minimise that as much as possible but make sure we have the right people in the right places.

“I will try and make sure those people have the right technology and skills to make sure they can do their jobs as well as possible.”