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The main remit of the police service is to protect society, and this work is done through three routes; detection, identification and surveillance, which all have seen advancements over the last five years. Breakthroughs in technology aid the police in their work, but it will be equally important to develop new processes to take full advantage of these technologies.²

Between 1999-2002 the volume of stored information is said to have doubled, and rapid increases are likely to continue.¹⁸ To manage and take full advantage of this data increase means creating tools to find, manipulate, synthesise and apply data, a process commonly referred to as data mining.¹⁷ To enable effective and efficient implementation of increasing data, information must be delivered quickly and in an accessible format. This is particularly relevant in the area of organised crime and terrorism where governments are beginning to share information globally.

Making greater use of technology has been the focus of Governmental policy such as Building on progress: Security, crime and justice (2007)⁸ and the Policing Green Paper (2008)¹¹.

Technology drivers can be divided into two categories:

• Tools - techniques / applications which deliver functions such as detection, surveillance and identification. Skills Drivers include: Airwave, Biometric ID Cards, CCTV, Low Copy DNA Analysis, Advances in DNA Technology, Facial Recognition, Incident Management Technology, Mobile Data Technology

 

• Information management - covers the sharing of information (both within the UK and globally) and getting the most out of the data currently available (data mining). Skills Drivers include: Advances in Technology, Compatibility, Crime Recording, Data Mining, Incident Management, Information Sharing.

References

1	Bangs, M. & Weir, R. (2007) The use of Geographic Information Systems by crime analysts in England and Wales. London: Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate.
2	Cabinet Office (2008) Realising Britain's Potential; Future strategic challenges for Britain. London: The Stationery Office
3	Caddy, B., Taylor, G.R., & Linacre, A.M.T. (2008) A Review of the Science of Low Template DNA Analysis. Strathclyde: University of Strathclyde.
4	Casey, Louise (2008) Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime: A review by Louise Casey. London: Cabinet Office.
5	Eck, J. & Spelman, W. (1987) Problem-Solving: Problem-orientated Policing in Newport News. Police Executive Research Forum: Washington D.C.
6	Flanagan, Sir Ronnie (2007) Independent Review of Policing: Interim Report. London: Home Office.
7	Flanagan, Sir Ronnie (2008) The Review of Policing: Final Report. London: Home Office.
8	HM Government (2007) Building on Progress: Security, crime and justice. London: Cabinet Office.
9	HM Government (2008) Government Response to the Magee Review of Criminality Information. Cm 7511, London: Office of Public Sector Information.
10	HMIC (2007) Beyond the Call: Thematic inspection of police contact centres' contribution to incident management. London: HMIC.
11	Home Office (2008) From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing our communities together. Cm 7448. London: The Stationery Office Ltd.
12	Home Office (2008) From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing our communities together - Summary of Green Paper consultation responses and next steps. London: Home Office.
13	Home Office & ACPO (2007) National CCTV Strategy'. London: Home Office.
14	Home Office Press Release, 30 June 2009, 'ID card roll-out to be accelerated'.
15	House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, (2007) Police Funding. Fourth Report of Session 2006-07. HC 553, London: The Stationery Office Ltd.
16	House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee (2008) Policing in the 21st Century. Seventh Report of the 2007-08 Session. HC 364-I, London: The Stationery Office Ltd.
17	Ipsos-MORI (2006) Sigma Scan: Information Management and Handling: controlling the rising flood of data that surrounds us.
18	Lyman, Peter & Hal Varian (2003) How much information?
19	Magee, Sir Ian (2008) The Review of Criminality Information. London: Home Office.
20	McCord, Bruce (2006) Nanotechnology and it potential in Forensic DNA Analysis. Profiles in DNA: USA.
21	NPIA (May 2008) NPIA Digest. London: NPIA p6.
22	NPIA (June 2008) NPIA Digest. London: NPIA.
23	Office of Science & Innovation Horizon Scan (2006) Delta Scan: Advances in DNA microarray technology.
24	Office of Science & Innovation Horizon Scan (2006) Delta Scan: Nanowire sensors for DNA Testing.
25	Police Review (23 May 2008) "Airwave 'not up to' Olympic qualification", 23, p 4.
26	Reuters Online UK Press Release, 1 July 2009, 'Plans dropped for compulsory ID cards'.
27	The Telegraph Online, 1 July 2009, 'Home Secretary abandons compulsory ID cards'.
28	UK Borders Act 2007
29	UK Borders Agency (2008) Introducing compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals. London: Home Office.

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