File:Day 105 - Mobile Fingerprint Devices rolled out across the West Midlands (8654856094).jpg

FINGERPRINT scanning devices that allow officers to ID crime suspects in seconds have been hailed a success saving thousands of police hours, keeping officers on the streets and trapping several on-the-run crime suspects.

The pocket-sized gadgets introduced by West Midlands Police last August are satellite linked to a national fingerprint database and instantly alert officers if the scanned prints belong to a convicted criminal.

Officers can then cross-reference against the Police National Computer (PNC) to find out if the person is wanted by police or the courts.

Around 70 of the devices are being used by police teams across the region and already they've helped officers identify more than 2,200 people on the spot...many of whom have been shown to be wanted in connection with criminal investigations.

They include a Somali man wanted for questioning in connection with a rape, a teenager suspected of assaulting a woman in a Birmingham bar, and many disqualified drivers who'd tried palming off traffic patrols by providing false details.

Force lead for MobileID, Chief Inspector Darren Walsh (pictured), said: "The mobile scanners have proved a resounding success over the last few months we've had many examples of suspects being identified and arrested thanks to the scanning devices. Without the MobileID kits, confirming their identity would have taken much longer or they may have succeeded in convincing officers they were someone else and let on their way.

"Traditionally, if officers had suspicions about an individual we'd need to take them to a police station, go through the custody process, and fingerprint them at the station which could take hours. The MobileID kits quickly confirm whether an arrest is necessary and free-up officers to be on the streets protecting the public.

"The number of people being brought in to custody simply to confirm their ID has reduced from approximately 130 a month to just 25, the kits have freed-up many hundreds of hours of police time every month."

The kits have proved particularly valuable for traffic officers who've used them to quickly establish if anyone pulled over for motoring offences is trying to evade prosecution by giving false details.

Chief Insp Walsh, added: "Recently a Ford Focus was stopped on the M42. The passenger claimed to be a 23-year-old man from Selly Oak. The officer doubted his details and the ID kit confirmed he was lying because he was wanted in connection with an assault on a woman in a Birmingham bar.

"During another motorway stop a disqualified driver tried duping officers by showing a photo driving licence which appeared to be his. It turned out to be his brother's who was the spitting image of the offender and a person whose details he knew inside out. The MobileID kit revealed he was indeed banned from the roads and he was subsequently charged with driving whilst disqualified."

West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner Bob Jones (pictured front) added: "The mobile scanners are already proving they can help police to work much more quickly and effectively. At a time when we need to make major financial savings, it is essential we maximise the number of officers out on the streets protecting the public. Our investment in this technology allows us to save in the long term by freeing up police officers to work more efficiently."