TECHNOLOGY that allows police officers to view CCTV from their squad cars is being rolled out across Essex.

The kit has been installed in the force’s cars, turning them into mobile offices and giving officers easy access to more information and intelligence.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said he hoped the improvements would make it easier and faster for officers to respond to incidents.

He said: “They will be able to look at what the calls are, what the intelligence is. They can look up all the incidents, look up wanted people, view CCTV – all in the police car.

“Essex is one of the leanest forces in the country, so we have got to make sure we get officers to the right places and get more information.”

Announcing the move, Mr Kavanagh said use of state-of-theart technology and a continued focus on improving support for victims of domestic abuse were his top priorities.

Burglary is also one of the target areas for the force and another area where computers can help catch thieves.

Mr Kavanagh said cameras linked to automatic number plate recognition technology, known as ANPR, were being used to trap offenders on their way to or from burglaries, as well as checking for untaxed or uninsured vehicles.

He said: “We have done a lot of ANPR operations in the south of the county.

“We are combining these in locations we know there are burglaries or high numbers of serious accidents. The feedback from drivers when we are doing the operation is really good.

“It is predictive policing. You map burglaries and you put officers in there at key times. If you get the intelligence right, the technology right, then policing becomes that bit more effective.”

Basildon-born Mr Kavanagh spoke about the changes just a few months into his new role.

He said the high-profile domestic abuse cases handled by Essex Police were at the forefront of his mind and he is working tirelessly to make sure the way cases were dealt with was improved.

He added: “We are coming up with ideas about how we get to the most serious domestic abuse cases quicker.

“We have got victim group meetings across five locations in the county and they are going to tell us what they want. We will be able to cater our response according to what is happening.”

Specific sharing of information about domestic abuse has also been launched between Southend and Thurrock.

Mr Kavanagh said: “I am feeling optimistic about how the force is pulling together.”