Police need more mobile IT

Bureaucracy could be cut by reducing time spent form-filling back at the station

Chief Inspector of Constabulary's report recommends judicious use of IT

Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Ronnie Flanagan is calling for more widespread use of mobile devices to cut the bureaucracy bedevilling UK police.

Technology such as secure Blackberrys can keep officers out on the street by enabling them to input data directly into force systems.

The recommendations are made in an interim report published today. Sir Ronnie's full Review of Policing was commissioned by former Home Secretary John Reid to consider ways to improve the efficiency of the police.

Sir Ronnie also recommends the development of 'virtual courts' using remote video technology to link defendents and magistrates.