Staffordshire Police look to EE 4G, Internet of Things and connected devices to help fight crime

'My aspiration is for Staffordshire to be the most technologically advanced police service by 2016,' says Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis

Staffordshire Police plan to use Internet of Things, connected devices and mobile technology powered by EE 4G connections to become Britain's "most technological advanced police service" by next year.

The police force believe that deploying mobile devices could save 250,000 hours of front line staff time per year, the equivalent of more than 100 officers on the beat, and help fight crime.

Staffordshire revealed its plans to power policing through technology as EE announced a range of new technologies for organisations aimed at connecting workers, customers and machines to the Internet of Things (IoT).

Those products include 4G public Wi-Fi, an EE Connect IoT platform, connected vehicles and 4G EE streaming cameras. Described as "lightweight and wearable", the 4G EE Capture Cam allows organisations to stream high definition video.

According to Matthew Ellis, Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, internet-connected devices powered by 4G have the potential to transform how the force operates.

"My aspiration is for Staffordshire to be the most technologically advanced police service by 2016," he said.

Fast, reliable connectivity in the field means officers can spend more time in the community - allowing them to access critical systems remotely and cut the time they spend on administrative tasks," Ellis continued.

Ellis described how the use of 4G connected devices will enable officers to spend more time concentrating on police work rather than paper work.

"The ongoing rollout of mobile technology to officers is helping to free up an extra 250,000 hours of police time to be out on the beat, the equivalent of over an extra 100 officers on duty," he said.

"Deploying 4G-connected devices has already boosted efficiency, in some cases allowing officers to cut administrative time on jobs that could take days down to minutes," Ellis added.

Staffordshire is also looking into deploying internet-connected police cars to allow officers to use laptops, mobiles and tablets in their vehicles.

"By providing high-speed connectivity in vehicles as well, we'll be able to turn their police vehicles into hotspots - giving officers, support teams, and in the future partners, vital access to information on the move," Ellis said.

EE CEO Olaf Swantee said: "The impact of 4G adoption on vital UK services is incredibly powerful. Helping the NHS and emergency services provide better service to the community, more cost effectively, is exactly the type of real world benefit that our world-leading mobile network enables.

"That's why we're launching our new capabilities for these sectors and helping them prepare for the IoT future where everything is connected."

EE's reveal of its new Internet of Things and connected devices plans comes as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) provisionally cleared its acquisition by BT.

"We recognise that this is a merger which is important to many consumers and businesses. We have heard a number of concerns from competitors. After a detailed investigation, our provisional view is that these concerns will not translate into a competition problem in practice," said CMA chair John Wotton.

Naturally, BT chief executive Gavin Patterson welcomed the CMA's ruling.

"We're pleased that the CMA has provisionally approved BT's acquisition of EE. The combined BT and EE will be good for the UK, providing investment and ensuring consumers and businesses can benefit from further innovation in a highly competitive market," he said.