Mini GPS devices to track police on beat

The force has introduced the new piece of technology, which uses top-of-the-range GPS signals and a hi-tech mapping system, to allow better deployment of resources.

It will mean staff in control rooms will be able to find the best-placed officer for individual jobs across the region.

Superintendent Chris Johnson said the introduction of the system marked a major step forward in officer safety and how staff were deployed to incidents.

He explained: "The Automatic Resource Location System helps us understand where all our officers are so that we can send the right officers to respond swiftly to calls from the public.

"They also cuts down the amount of voice traffic on the radio as contact centre staff can send important information in the form of text messages, directly to radios linked to the mapping system, giving another important operational benefit.

"Perhaps most importantly it will help us to ensure officer safety, as we will always be able to locate an officer in trouble, and send the nearest resource to help them out.

"This is a massive step forward as it ensures we have the right officers at the right time in the right place."

The system works through the Airwave digital radio network, meaning each terminal registered on that network can locate individual officers using GPS technology.

Combined with a new mapping system, control room will be able to see at a glance exactly where officers are located, allowing quicker, better and more effective deployment

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones said: "I welcome the use of new technology which supports police in their work. "The introduction of the system will help the police officers serve the public better, through greater efficiency. It will also enable them to get back up and support more quickly."

The new system is the latest in a line of technological advances being used by the force.

Bosses announced earlier this year that they would soon be introducing a system that would allow victims of crime to be updated on the progress of their case over the internet.

Under that scheme, victims will be able to log in to a secure site and find out information about their case. Staffordshire Police is also looking at rolling out the same system in the coming months, while the force is also looking at deploying computers that will allow officers to take and print witness statements on the move.