IT'S important for the police to know what people are thinking if they are to meet their needs.

The force needs to be focused on the real problems that worry people the most so they can adjust their priorities accordingly.

Finding out what bugs people isn't easy because our busy lives mean many cannot be bothered to respond to telephone and postal surveys.

And public meetings can be unrepresentative because they are so easily be dominated by a vocal few with strong opinions. Others will remain silent or be put off going to such gatherings in the first place.

That's why the £28,000 piece of technological kit bought by Lancashire Police is such a good idea.

Personal handsets allow people to answer questions, express their views on issues and rank their top three priorities for the police without those around them knowing what they think.

Group feelings can be assessed without anyone feeling intimidated by those around them.

Hopefully the ability to vote confidentially in this way will bring bigger audiences to police meetings with the communities they serve.

And it will also give officers an accurate picture of exactly what criminal behaviour they concentrate their efforts on fighting.