GPS tags go online
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Jason Crofts (Police, PC 1146, West Bassetlaw, East Bassetlaw & Sherwood)
Police will begin using GPS tags to monitor offenders following a successful pilot.
The force took part in the free, three month trial, which came to an end in January. And following positive feedback from officers, 20 tags have been ordered at a cost of £45,200.
GPS tagging means officers can overlay offender movements with crime patterns which can support real time location and arrests. Conversely it can reduce the need for unnecessary and costly arrests if the location intelligence doesn’t put an offender in the place of a crime which they may be suspected of.
The trial also showed that the tags are a positive deterrent, helping to steer an offender away from crime and towards Multi Agency rehabilitation schemes.
The tags are being provided by G4S and the process of being fitted with one is currently voluntary.
Friday, 23 August, will see the official launch of the tags – and Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping will be the first to trial one.
Det Sgt Lee Watson, who is leading the project, said: “This is an excellent example of our commitment to protecting communities, preventing and reducing crime and using our resources creatively and efficiently to do so”.
“We are excited to be finally using the technology in this manner in order to further reduce crime by adding a new dimension to our abilities to provide Policing to Notts communities.”
Sheila Wright, Deputy Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Probation Trust said: “Together with our partners we welcome GPS tagging as another effective tool in the fight against crime. We fully support the use of new technology and innovation such as this to help manage offenders, reduce re-offending rates and make Nottinghamshire a safer place.”