4,000 mobile devices issued to officers at West Yorkshire Police

Four thousand hand-held devices are being issued to frontline officers and staff at West Yorkshire Police, effectively replacing the old pocket notebooks. The mobile devices contain online ‘apps’ that allow officers to record a crime without having to return to a station.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Battle said it will mean more time spent in the communities: “This initiative will exploit technology to maximise the capability and effectiveness of policing at the front line. It will potentially lead to 7,000 frontline officers and staff using the devices.

“As a result of this project, there will be an increase in the amount of time they are able to spend on the streets, dealing with crime and public safety. The device includes an e-notebook that will enable us to record information and make intelligence submissions via secure mobile police apps.

“Officers will be able to enter electronic witness statements and complete missing person forms without having to put pen to paper back at base. Similarly, the device will allow users to view and update incidents while on the beat, increasing our visibility, responsiveness and presence on the streets.

“According to a national audit conducted in 2012 which looked at mobile working in policing across the UK, an average of 18 minutes of additional time on the streets was generated. From a West Yorkshire perspective, one minute of extra time on the street per officer, per day equates to a million pounds worth of additional policing annually.

“We continue to look for ways to revolutionise the way we do business, creating efficiency savings that will ultimately benefit the communities we serve long into the future.

West Yorkshire police and crime commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson added: “Providing the best possible service to our communities through modern mobile technology and innovation is at the heart of my police and crime plan. The investment is being provided through a transformation fund as part of the 2014/15 budget agreement.

“The introduction of the mobile devices will ensure that officers and staff have more time to spend in their communities, offering greater visibility and enabling them to carry out their roles more effectively.

“As we face government cuts of more than £160 million between 2010 and 2017, it is imperative that we continue to look towards new ways of working that ensure our neighbourhoods are safe and feel safe.”