Strathclyde buys analysis system upgrade

Scotland’s largest force, Strathclyde is the first force in the country to purchase a major upgrade of i2’s Analyst’s Workstation.

The contract, worth around £200,000, will see the force’s analysts increase their intelligence analysis capability by adding Dataminer and mapping to their existing Analyst’s Notebook function, linked through an iBase database.

The analysts will have the ability to search data across disparate databases within their organisation, to gain a more comprehensive picture of crime in their force area. Criminal activity can be mapped to reveal hotspots and statistical information can be explored further, providing officers with detailed crime analysis, strategic reports and bulletins, allowing them to focus resources on areas of concern and easily assess operational results.

i2 is a leading provider of investigative analysis software with solutions that are proven in law enforcement and commercial organisations around the globe. Analysts and investigators in more than 100 countries and over 2000 organisations now use the product range.

i2’s general manager, Paul Holroyd, said: “Demands on police forces to tackle volume crime, as well as major incidents is ever increasing.

“However, i2’s Analyst’s Workstation provides analyst’s with a number of functions that will not only allow them to meet those demands, but to do it in such a way that makes their results easy to read and share with colleagues.

“By developing their own iBase database, Strathclyde Police can choose the information they want to be able to search at any one time, to be able to link and expand vital information, that can then be visualised, through Analyst’s Notebook.”

Strathclyde deputy principal analyst, Dave Scott said: “Given the increasingly disparate information sources available to analysts within the law enforcement environment, we anticipate this software will prove to be a useful tool in providing high quality analytical products to officers within the guidelines of the National Intelligence Model.

“As demand for analytical products continues to rise, software that can assist in the interrogation and presentation of relevant information is to be welcomed.”

Holroyd added: “This is a significant contract for Strathclyde Police, and opens up a wide range of analytical capabilities, allowing them to quickly understand the substance and significance of their data, make informed intelligence-led decisions, and form proactive policies.”