News Laptops issued to response officers RESPONSE officers across GMP will soon be equipped with laptops – enabling them to access GMP IT systems while out on patrol. A new scheme is being rolled out across the Force following a successful pilot in Stockport. Feedback from the pilot has been positive, with 71 per cent of officers estimating they were able to spend extra hours out in the field as a result. Officers also said that when they attended incidents, they were far better prepared as they had access to FWINs and any associated intelligence. Supt Chris Ullah who has been "Results have indicated that there leading the rollout said: "The feedback is a significant reduction on time spent from the pilot has clearly shown there is at the station, leading to an increased a need for response officers to have presence on the streets. access to mobile data. "I'm extremely pleased to say that on
Pictured: Supt Chris Ullah (right) with Rochdale officers who have been issued with laptops
the basis of the pilot's success, Rochdale Division has now been issued with laptops and we will be looking to equip all response teams across GMP by this summer."
New team tackles GMP’s most wanted
THE Tactical Crime Unit (TCU) was set up last year to help locate Force fugitives and in its first few months has already had some notable successes. Insp Matt BaileySmith talks to Brief about their work so far. The TCU works within the ANPR & Intercept Unit at Stretford Police Station. Led by Sgt Graeme Murrie, the unit consists of six operational PCs who bring with them experience from Tactical Aid Unit, firearms and the ANPR Intercept Unit. The team is able to dedicate time to research offenders using a mixture
of intelligence, information from partner agencies and proactive enquiries. In addition they are able to carry out observations and foot surveillance. In November the TCU assisted the Serious Sexual Offences Unit with Operation Leafwing, an initiative to locate outstanding suspects of sexual offences. The TCU carried out a range of enquiries which led to the arrest of 19 offenders wanted for rape. In addition the team were also able to identify the whereabouts of further offenders who have left the UK. Talking about the success of this
12 Brief 40th anniversary edition Spring 2014
piece of work, Chief Superintendent Vanessa Jardine said: “The team made excellent enquiries and I cannot thank them enough for their support. “The important thing in all of this is the value they have given to every single vulnerable victim of rape who now has at least some resolution and reduction in fear knowing the respective offender for their crime has been arrested.” In February the TCU were directly involved in the arrest of an offender who had been wanted for some time by police in connection to a number offences, including a robbery in which more than £70,000 was taken. Due to the nature of his offences the man appeared on Crimewatch last year but had so far managed to evade capture. On Monday 10 February, officers from the TCU identified a Vauxhall Astra van, similar to one used by the wanted man. Officers followed the van with support of the police helicopter and following a short pursuit, in which the driver attempted to ram two police cars, the van was stopped. Following a short chase on foot a 36yearold man was arrested and has since been charged by Lancashire Constabulary with conspiracy to commit robbery and dangerous driving.