The BBC promotes its monthly TV programme Crimewatch in the following manner: “Help us solve some of the UK’s biggest cases... Your call could be all it takes to put an offender behind bars.”

On its homepage, Crimewatch, which started in 1984, making almost 5,000 appeals for information since, notes that all the cases featured originate from the police and investigating officers join the presenters live in the studio to take calls from viewers.

“The success of the programme is down to the response of viewers. Anyone can pick up the phone and speak to officers live in the studio, giving potentially crucial information and helping to solve a case,” the BBC proudly reports.

Although this country has so much that is modelled on the British system, including its civil service, the rapport between the police and the media in Malta is far removed from the one portrayed above.

The fact that relations between the police force and the press leave a lot to be desired has been raised on a number of occasions through these columns.

Although there is no harm in making another appeal for better relations for the benefit of both sides, the more important point is the need for the police to realise what a powerful tool the people – through the press and social media – can be for them.

The use of closed circuit TV cameras has proliferated, both on private and public property. Some may argue that these amount to an invasion of privacy. But when used well, they can serve to both prevent and solve crime.

The subject was raised in the latest issue of The Sunday Times in an article headed Nabbed By You Tube.

The item posed a very interesting question after listing cases where people caught committing an offence on camera were traced after the footage was posted online. Is this form of citizen-policing a positive development or could it lead to the emergence of vigilantes?

Criminologist Mary Muscat, a former police officer herself, considers the development a plus provided citizens act responsibly. “It can act as a deterrent to potential offenders while empowering the citizen,” she said.

The police, on the other hand, fear that uploading footage online can at times hinder their investigations rather than help.

The bottom line is that the long arm of the law can be stretched even further if the use of CCTV cameras and smartphones can be used to fight crime. There does not seem to be anything in the law that stops this from happening.

Unfortunately, while citizens have proved they are able and willing to use this efficient tool, the police appear to be reluctant.

There have been many occasions where this newspaper asked the police for images or footage (for its online version) that could help in the identification of wanted suspects. None were forthcoming.

Such reluctance by the police may be attributed to their genuine fear of somehow disrupting investigations.

Yet they should bear two things in mind: 1) if they do not release the footage themselves others may, as has in fact happened; 2) a good education campaign on their part will teach citizens, and the press, what would be of help and what causes harm.

The social media is set to become even more sophisticated as smartphones get smarter. So will society and, yes, even criminals.

That is precisely why the police must keep up with the times and ensure there are as many crime-watchers out there as possible.