Lancashire police force has introduced a monitoring and audit system to comply with new data security regulations.

The Information Systems Community Security Policy is mandated by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) from next month and requires forces to monitor users' activity.

The force will use the software to help it investigate potential corruption-related issues involving police staff's use of force computer systems.

"It will provide us with the ability to resolve allegations of systems misuse more quickly and with more certainty, and allow the public additional confidence that systems are in place to protect data," said detective superintendent Martyn Leveridge.

The system will monitor all data input on Lancashire Constabulary’s network, including mobile and portable terminals.

Recent reports by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary have recommended that all internal police computer systems should be auditable in order to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information.

Previously, the force's auditing capabilities were application-based, meaning that it could not monitor file transfers, printing, screen captures and copying onto external data devices.

The system comes from vendor 3ami.