Fingerprint scans used 2,200 times
Pocket-sized fingerprint scanners used by police to quickly identify suspects have been used more than 2,200 times since they were introduced in the West Midlands.
The hi-tech scanning devices allow officers to work out who someone is via a satellite link connected to the national fingerprint database, instead of taking time making more extensive inquiries.
In total, 70 of the Mobile ID devices are in use across the region, having been brought in last July. Chief Inspector Darren Walsh said: "The mobile scanners have proven to be a resounding success, and I would encourage officers to continue to use them as much as possible.
"Over the last few months we have had numerous examples of offenders being identified and arrested that would have been much more difficult and time consuming without the scanners.
"Traditionally, if officers had suspicions about an individual we'd need to take them to a police station, go through the custody process, and fingerprint them at the station, which could take hours.
"Following the introduction of the devices all of this can be done instantly on the street. This has had an immensely positive impact, with the number of people being brought in to custody to confirm identification reducing from about 130 a month to around 25. This alone has freed up many hundreds of hours of police time."
