THE introduction of mobile devices for police officers to replace the traditional pocketbook should on the face of it make a big net saving for the force.

Rather than having to write their notes up, officers will instead send their reports directly into the force’s electronic database.

It is, given the advance of technology, an obvious and inevitable move, and the initial cost is likely to be quickly offset by savings, by freeing up more time for officers to spend away from paperwork.

West Yorkshire Police estimate the change will mean officers can spend on average 18 minutes less on writing up reports and therefore 18 minutes more on other duties.

The force says every extra minute available each day to every officer is worth £1m, so that time is worth £18m. With budget cuts likely to continue to bite, that saving could be vital.

If it means officers spending more time on the beat, this must be regarded as a very welcome move, but it is vital that the money saved is used in this way.

There will undoubtedly be concerns about security of information, but the force says it has spent a chunk of the budget on ensuring all data is fully protected. Much of it will already be input into an online system anyway, with officers transcribing notes into a computer when they return to their station. This simply cuts out a layer of that process.

Whether the savings are delivered will only be seen once the scheme is up and running, but if it leads to an increase in time officers can spend on police work rather than paperwork, that is something everyone will welcome.