New technology has been brought in to help crack down on mucky crimes including dog fouling and fly tipping after the council launched a new app.

The Report it GY app is now available to download for free onto smart phones, in a bid to make it quicker and easier for eagle-eyed residents to report environmental issues across the borough.

Digital reports created through the app are sent directly to Great Yarmouth Borough Council's environmental rangers and operational partner GYB Services Ltd.

Users can also send pictures, such as a pile of dumped rubbish, and send it along with the report, giving the exact location of where the photograph was taken.

Rangers can pick up the reports and pictures on their smart phones, and then investigate and provide feedback while they are out and about.

Paul Shucksmith, senior environmental ranger, said: 'This technology means officers will spend more time out and about, picking up and dealing with reports as they come in rather than having to come back to the office to check and log reports.

'The exact location function of the app will also help improve the efficiency of the service, because we sometimes get called to an issue in a generic location like 'on Yarmouth beach' and it can take some walking and searching to find.

'Meanwhile, the ability for people to send in photos will give officers a better idea of what they are dealing with.'

As well as fly tipping and dog fouling, residents can report graffiti, fly-posting, overflowing bins, wheelie bins blocking the pavement, needles, broken glass on public land and oil or wet paint spills.

The app will be associated with the council's new website, which is launching in the coming weeks and will allow residents, businesses and community groups to access an expanding range of services via their phone, tablet or computer.

Official statistics show 89pc of Yarmouth residents now have access to the web and 49pc have a smart phone.

To download the app search 'Great Yarmouth Report It' from Android phones, and 'Report It GY' from Windows Phones and from iPhones.

If downloading onto an iPad, select the apps for iPhone only category.