Apple's iPhone has always allowed you to carry around thousands of songs, TV shows and emails in your pocket.
Now, thanks to Surrey Police, you can carry around thousands of crimes in your pocket, too.
Surrey Police have today launched what they call a "trailblazing" mobile app for iPhone, which allows users to keep track of what officers are up to in their area, look at where crimes have taken place and even vote on policing priorities.
The app, which is built on similar technology to the Police.uk crime-mapping website launched by the Home Office in February, allows users to view videos, pictures and Tweets posted by police officers without having to use social networks.
It also includes information designed to help people contract the police, including where the nearest police stations are, what numbers to call and how to report a crime.
The app currently only works for the trial area of Runnymede, which perhaps explains the rather slow start the app has made on iTunes.
Indeed, as of press time two out of the four 'Five Star' reviews for the app appeared to be made by people with the same names as prominent Surrey Police officers, including Runnymede Neighbourhood Commander Roger Nield and Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens.
Android and Blackberry versions of the app are forthcoming, however, and both Surrey Police and government ministers hope that the trial can soon be expanded "countrywide".
Peter Williams, Chairman of Surrey Police Authority said that the app would be a useful new way to connect residents to their police force.
“In my view this simple approach is the right one for our county," he told The Huffington Post UK. "The most recent British Crime Survey showed that Surrey has the highest percentage of residents who believe that the Police and local authorities seek their views... We know that the ways the public look to contact and find information about the police are changing and it is essential that we adapt and innovate to reflect that."
Policing and Criminal Justice Minister Nick Herbert said: “Surrey’s work is a significant milestone in our drive for even greater transparency across policing and the wider criminal justice system.
“We want to provide communities with the information they need so that they are empowered to work together with the police to tackle the issues that matter to them locally."
Surrey Police Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens said: “This is a very exciting day as Surrey Police becomes a pioneer in the use of mobile phone applications for policing in the UK. This app will enable users to engage directly with their local neighbourhood policing teams.
“We are known as an innovative Force and this new app demonstrates how we can utilise new technology and the constantly expanding, increasingly important, world of social media to help us meet both the demands of modern day policing and the demands of the public."