PORTABLE computers will be handed to police officers in Cheshire after £2m of Government funding was secured.
The hand-held computers will enable officers to fill in crime reports and access central systems on the beat without having to return to a station, increasing police visibility on the streets.
Cheshire Police Authority spokeswoman Anna Collins said: “They will increase coverage on the streets. Officers will be able to fill in reports out and about instead of coming back to the station.
“We haven’t got as far as choosing which model, that will be national process, but it will have to be something that is small enough and durable enough.”
Cheshire Constabulary is one of 27 forces across the country to share £25m of Govern- ment money set aside to introduce the technology.
Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse said: “These new tools to help officers to fight and detect crime are welcomed, especially as people tell us that they want to see more officers on the streets.
“The use of hand-held computers will allow them to report incidents, complete forms and access important information and criminal intelligence without having to return to the police station.
“The public will experience an improved service and bureaucracy will be reduced. Private companies such as utility providers and estate agents have been using these hand-held computers for some time now, the Constabulary will now be able to reap the benefits too.”
