Digital evidence platform, Kulpa, has announced a new partnership with Westward Housing Group to give more than 10,000 residents across Devon and Cornwall a secure way to report and share evidence of anti-social behaviour, hate crime, drug-related activity, domestic abuse and other safeguarding concerns.

Westward is one of the main affordable housing providers in the South West, and is currently managing 7,692 homes across Devon and Cornwall.

Through the new partnership, residents will be able to use the Kulpa app to upload and share photographs, video, audio, screenshots and other digital files directly with Westward from their own devices.

The evidence will be preserved digitally, ensuring the integrity and provenance of the material so that it can support subsequent enforcement or legal action.

Authenticated material

This will make it easier for residents to provide evidence without having to hand over their devices, while giving Westward authenticated material that can be acted on and, where necessary, support a housing case, injunction application or criminal prosecution.

The partnership will sit alongside Westward’s existing commitment to supporting victims of anti-social behaviour, with officers working alongside residents to gather supporting information and agree the appropriate course of action. Residents remain in control of what they choose to share and when.

Simon Franc, Founder and CEO of Kulpa, said: “Housing providers see harm early, often before anyone else does. Westward already has a fast response and works closely with residents to agree the appropriate action.

“Kulpa builds on this and gives residents a simple and secure way to evidence what they are experiencing and share it directly with Westward, helping its teams understand what is happening and take appropriate action, while ensuring that evidence is properly preserved if the case needs to go further.”

Closing the gap

Stephen Lodge, CEO of Westward Housing Group, said: “Too often, residents living with anti-social behaviour or abuse tell us they have evidence but no safe way to get it to us. Kulpa closes that gap.

“We regularly hear from customers about the impact that anti-social behaviour can have on their lives and communities.

“Kulpa provides a safe and secure way for residents to share clear, factual evidence with us, helping us to investigate concerns more effectively and support our work to build safer, stronger and more cohesive neighbourhoods.”

Lasting impact

Steve Darling, Member of Parliament for Torbay, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a lasting impact on individuals, families and communities, leaving residents feeling unsafe in their own homes.

“It is vital that people have the confidence to report incidents and know that their concerns will be taken seriously.

“I welcome this partnership between Kulpa and Westward Housing, which will make it easier for residents to securely share evidence of anti-social behaviour and other offences.

“By giving housing providers the tools to investigate incidents more effectively and take appropriate action, initiatives like this can make a real difference in helping to create safer communities across Torbay and the wider South West.”

The Kulpa app is free to residents and available through the App Store and Google Play.