Japanese police are encouraging third-generation (3G) mobile phone users to
assist them in their fight against crime.

Thursday's edition of the Mainichi Daily News reports that officers in Osaka
have set up an emergency videophone hotline. They hope that 3G phones users
who witness a crime will be able to email an image, or even a video clip of
the action, to the Osaka police.

Japanese mobile giant NTT DoCoMo launched its 3G service last year. It provides a constant high-speed connection to the Internet, and subscribers
will use a smart phone that includes a built-in digital camera.


The service is expected to start on 1 April, and the Osaka police are
reported to be confident that it will make it easier for them to identify offenders. --Graeme Wearden, ZDUK

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