Speaking at the Police Foundation's John Harris Memorial Lecture (sponsored by Reliance Security Services), Blunkett said: "Organised criminals are now using high tech means to evade the law and commit serious crimes, including drug running, people trafficking, fraud and terrorism. DNA is of paramount importance in catching those criminals, and the time is right for the police to begin obtaining DNA samples at the crime scene as opposed to the point of charge."
Blunkett pointed out that on-the-spot DNA sampling has led to a 20% decrease in burglaries in the West Midlands of late, and made mention of Livescan – a technology that enables fingerprints to be recorded electronically – as a "massive step forward" on previous ink and paper-based systems.
The assembled audience of security practitioners also heard how exploitation of the latest technologies could free-up more police officers for community patrolling, thus allowing more crimes to be solved. Here, Blunkett called for greater use of hand-held computers, mobile telephones and laptops such that officers may manage all of their 'paperwork' while on patrol. "We need to train officers to use this technology to their advantage," commented the Home Secretary.
Urging closer links with the security community, Blunkett added: "The police authorities certainly need to co-ordinate more with the security industry, and help it to bond into the extended police family."
Blunkett also pointed to the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Card Unit set up by the Home Office and the Association for Payment Clearing Services back in 2002 as an example of co-operation between authorities and the financial sector. In its first year of operation, the Unit has recovered more than 4,000 stolen cards.
Source
SMT
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