Press Release | 17 Feb 2016

VODAFONE 4G CONNECTS 5,000 POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS SOUTHERN WALES FOR NEXT GENERATION LAW ENFORCEMENT

South Wales Police and Gwent Police are to replace the traditional pocket notebook with smartphones connected by Vodafone UK’s 4G mobile technology.  This brand new development will enable police officers, community support officers (CSO’s) and those working in specialist departments to instantly record, share and access details of crimes whilst on the beat, using a creative new mobile phone application called I-Patrol. Developed in-house by South Wales Police and Gwent Police, this innovative app aims to improve service quality, by reducing the need for officers to return to the station, keeping them visible and accessible within communities.

 

Over 5,000 officers and staff across the two Forces will be using the new app on Vodafone’s 4G network by March this year, and it is anticipated the change could result in a 10 per cent improvement in the amount of time spent by police out on the streets – equating to an additional 436,000 hours per year.

 

Officers from both Forces can now access local and national police databases, regardless of their location, helping them to identify individuals and check intelligence far more efficiently than was previously possible. It’s also anticipated that other advanced features, which include leading quality camera technology with direct links to police systems accessed over Vodafone’s 4G network while officers are out on the beat, will also help deliver a range of investigative project benefits and provide far more compelling evidence for the courts.

 

Assistant Chief Constable, Richard Lewis from South Wales Police said: “In situations where every second counts, it is vitally important that the technology and services we use are both responsive and reliable, if we are to continue to meet the challenges of 21st century policing. Technology is constantly changing and, despite the current financial challenges, we are committed to making best use of innovation to fight crime and keep our communities safe. Our officers now have more information at their fingertips than has ever been previously possible, and they can access and update this quickly, wherever they may be.  We are confident that all our communities will benefit.”

 

Assistant Chief Constable, Julian Williams from Gwent Police said: “This technology will revolutionise policing, bringing it firmly into the 21st century. Key information will be available to officers whether they are out on patrol or at the scene of a crime. This will undoubtedly allow them to carry out their duties more efficiently and effectively.  This development has been made possible for us in Gwent thanks to the support and funding provided by our Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Ian Johnston.”

 

Mick Wayman, Head of Public Sector for Vodafone UK said: “It’s great to see the South Wales Police and Gwent Police using mobile technology in this way and the projected benefits of rolling this out across the two Forces speak for themselves. Our continued massive investment in our network means we are well placed to provide the infrastructure required to keep police officers across southern Wales better connected. We’re excited to see the impact this technology has in terms of enabling officers on the frontline to provide a more efficient and more effective service to their communities.”

 

Vodafone UK has spent around £2 billion on its network and services across the UK in the last two years, including the introduction of its 4G service to more than 750 cities and towns, as well as to thousands of smaller communities, whilst also making network improvements across its UK 3G network.  Meanwhile, the Vodafone Rural Open Sure Signal programme has brought 3G coverage for the first time to remote communities across the UK.

 

-ENDS –

 

For more information please contact:

Vodafone UK Media Relations

Tel: 01635 666777

Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. Vodafone is the largest provider of full fibre in the UK – our superfast broadband services are now available to nearly 12 million homes across the UK.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk.

Vodafone UK Media Relations

Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 693 693

Email: ukmediarelations@vodafone.com

Twitter: @VodafoneUKNews

Website: https://vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/

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