A new information line was launched in Oamaru yesterday, after being developed with the support of young people in the district.
People will be able to call or text information about offending or antisocial behaviour, or send photographs, to 0800 PO PO Waitaki (0800 76 76 92).
The idea grew after Senior Constable Ross Lory received text messages giving information about the thefts, from an Oamaru business in September, of clothing and footwear.
Six schoolgirls bragged at school about the thefts, which angered other pupils, who contacted police. Yesterday, Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy said the number of texts received over that incident showed such a system would work.
He stressed it was an information line, and if people needed to get in touch with police, they should still call 111 in the case of an emergency, or the police station.
The cellphone would be checked daily.
Waitaki community safety officer Alison Banks said young people thought it was a fantastic idea, as many were not happy about the behaviour of other youths and it was a way they could pass on information without fear of retaliation.
It was also a matter of moving with the times - young people now used texting and cellphones to communicate, she said.