Tracking scheme is given green light

A hi-tech system for tracking and identifying persistent offenders will be introduced into police stations and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in February next year.

The system is part of the persistent offender scheme (POS), launched last week by criminal justice minister Lord Falconer, which plays a key part in the government's 'Narrowing the Justice Gap' strategy to address the discrepancy between the number of crimes reported and criminals brought to justice.

Following implementation of the POS, prolific adult offenders - those with more than six convictions in the past year - will be entered into the police national computer and flagged up for special attention.

This data will then be passed over to local police commanders and entered into a Web-based system called JTrack, which enables the police and CPS to monitor progress and offenders' activities.

The data will also be used for reactive exercises, such as checking the status of someone stopped for a driving offence, and proactive activities, such as targeting spots where offences are repeatedly committed.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'It is hoped that by combining national and local police intelligence in this hi-tech manner, more repeat offenders will be caught and convicted.

Statistics show that the more times a criminal is caught, the more likely they are to give up a life of crime.'

A CPS spokesman said it had no comment at present, but would have more to say nearer the date of implementation.

Andrew Towler