POLICE officers in East Lancashire are leading the way in piloting a hi-tech system that allows checks to be made on suspects and vehicles by using computers in their patrol car.

The mobile data system is being tested in Colne and Nelson with a view to extending it across the county.

The system involves a small computer and touch-screen carried in patrol cars which allows officers to carry out checks on people and vehicles with the Police National Computer (PNC), a centralised database.

Instead of going through the police station's communications staff, officers on patrol can check with the PNC directly and quickly. The data system is linked to a processing unit in the car's boot which "talks" with the PNC at Hendon, North London.

Eighteen vehicles have been fitted with the data system and its effectiveness is being closely monitored by senior officers. Students from the University of Central Lancashire have been called in by the force to study the success of the system.

Officers in Pennine division, which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, have also been issued with mobile telephones to help them keep in touch.

It is a far cry from 64 years ago when Lancashire Constabulary pioneered the first full-scale VHF radio scheme in the world.

Sergeant Martin Holleran, divisional training manager based at Colne, said: "Logging on to the system just takes a few seconds and PNC trained personnel can pick up mobile data training in less than 30 minutes.

"When you make a vehicle or name check the results are on the screen within ten seconds so it's very useful because it allows officers to do more inquiries and checks without going through the communications room. The more checks you do the more you can find."

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