Satellite tracking pilots get underway

Satellite tracking using the latest Global Positioning System (GPS) technology will be used to monitor prolific and sexual offenders under a 12-month pilot project launched this month.

The pilots will take place in Greater Manchester, Hampshire and the West Midlands. They will cover prolific offenders and domestic violence offenders in Hampshire and the West Midlands as well as sex offenders in Greater Manchester; additionally, the Hampshire trials will also include some young prolific offenders.

The pilots will test two types of satellite tracking – passive tracking and hybrid tracking.

Passive tracking allows an offender to be monitored retrospectively, with location data being downloaded when the tracking device is connected to a landline telephone. This will usually be at the end of each day, although it can be done at any time, such as when an offender reports to the supervisor’s office.

Hybrid tracking monitors offenders passively, unless an offender enters an exclusion area, at which point the system switches to live monitoring. From this point, the offender`s movements can be tracked in real time – appearing as a location on an Ordnance Survey map to within two metres – and appropriate action taken.

The tracking technology is global, so if an offender moves outside the probation area, they are still monitored. The systems also use mobile phone technology (GSM) which relies on the network of mobile phone masts to determine location.

This year the Government has put aside £3m to cover start up costs, evaluation and project management; it estimates the average daily cost for each offender tracked will be £68.

Essex Assistant Chief Constable Liam Brigginshaw, ACPO’s lead on tagging, said: “We are pleased that satellite tracking is now available to be thoroughly tested and evaluated.

“All police forces are aware of some individuals whose offending levels can inflict misery on local communities. Having greater levels of information and intelligence about the movements and behaviour of these individuals will be beneficial in preventing and solving crime and protecting the public.”

Speaking at the launch of the pilots, Home Secretary David Blunkett said: “This technology will allow us to develop and promote the tough community sentences which are vital if we are to prevent re-offending, and give non-violent offenders a chance to serve an effective sentence in the community.

“The public has to be confident that this `prison without bars` works and that it gives the police and probation services the tools they need to protect them. This will build on the success of electronic tagging in monitoring offenders.”

The pilots, which are taking place under the current electronic monitoring contracts, will be externally evaluated

by researchers appointed by the Home Office.