Police reaping benefits of new handheld devices

19:24 12th January 2009

Police forces around the UK have been given a helping hand in their bid to fight crime with the provision of new, state-of-the-art handheld computers.

As part of the 'Mobile Information Programme' government initiative, which is aimed at reducing red tape, around 13,000 Personal Digital Assistant devices have been delivered across the country.

The computers help officers spend more time on the beat and less in the police station as they can send and receive information on the go - while also shaving 30 minutes off the average shift.

Inspector Alex Brandom, from North Yorkshire Police's mobile data project team, told northyorkshire.police.co.uk: "This is great news for North Yorkshire Police and the communities we serve. Mobile computers are critical to a modern police officer."

Policing minister Vernon Coaker, who has enlisted the National Policing Improvement Agency to manage the programme, has explained that he intends to exploit further "new technologies" to help the police, according to the website.

North Yorkshire Police has nine councillors, three justices of the peace and five independent members.