MobileInnKeeper tackles alcohol crime

Officers on patrol in Gloucestershire are using the latest mobile technology to help tackle the problem of alcohol-related crime. The mobileInn Keeper system gives officers using hand-held devices access to up-to-date intelligence data about licensed premises and incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder.

Officers can view a range of information on their PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistants) including permitted operating hours, details about licensees, and any conditions attached to a licence.

Officers can, for example, access information about previous incidents of alcohol-related violence and disorder, under-age or after hours drinking, and other breaches of licensing conditions without having to contact the force control room. This gives them a much better idea of the type of scenario that they are likely to face before entering a particular premises.

Developed by Bristol-based WPC, mobileInnKeeper will enable the Gloucestershire Constabulary to monitor compliance with the updated Licensing Act 2003 more effectively and identify patterns of disorder much more quickly.

The system is totally secure and uses the latest 128-bit wireless security technology which ensures that sensitive police data cannot be intercepted or deciphered.

Paul Francis, Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Crime Reduction Officer, said: “Thanks to mobileInnKeeper, our officers will know straightaway if licensing conditions are being complied with because they will have all the data they need with them. The system will also help us identify problem premises and areas much more quickly so it will be an important intelligence tool for dealing with alcohol related problems.”