Police are a step closer to using real-time information on the beat thanks to a Scottish Executive grant.

The £388,000 SPURplus fund grant is central to a £1.2m development by software specialist Beat Systems and the British Transport Police (BTP) .

The company is now developing handheld and vehicle mobile systems enabling officers to search and update police central systems without going back to the station.

The system will allow officers to complete paperwork whilst on the beat and make on-the-spot background searches.

The BTP, one of the first forces in the UK to operate using mobile data, will work with Beat Systems to develop the technology.

‘Mobile data has the potential to be the most significant advance since foot patrol officers were given radio communication,’ said BTP assistant chief constable Paul Robb.

‘We believe that this technology will deliver operational benefits in terms of efficiency, real-time data entry and most importantly increased patrol time in the community,’ he said.

Beat Systems commercial director Roy Hawes said: ‘With this funding the benefits that the mobile technology brings to the police forces and local authorities will increase tenfold,’ said ‘Vital information becomes available instantly and officers are able to make critical decisions based upon real-time information.

‘The developed technology has a huge global market and will continue to take the lead in delivering secure mobile solutions to the police,’ he said.

The Scottish Executive SPURplus fund supports forward looking technological developments and innovation from small to medium sized businesses.