Cumbria Constabulary examined 2285 computers, mobile phones and other technology

Over the last few weeks there has been an insight into the workings of different aspects of the Criminal Investigation Departments, from investigating people involved in drug trafficking, to examining crime scenes through to bringing criminals to justice. With the development of computers and mobile phones, the technology available to criminals is more extensive and can become a more integral part of their criminal activity.

The Hi-Tech Crime Unit examines technology seized during the course of investigations to find evidence in order to bring criminals to justice.

In week five of Cumbria Constabulary’s Did you know… campaign we will be looking at the Hi-Tech Crime Unit and establishing what they do to target criminals who use
technology as an avenue for their criminal activity.

Did you know…

Between 2009 and 2011 over 400 computers were examined for evidence of criminal activity.
There are six Hi-tech crime officers and staff who specialize in examining
computers, mobile phones and other items of technology.
It takes up to three years to become a qualified computer examiner.
Over 2100 mobile phones were looked at during the course of last year.
Every computer submission is risk assessed to ensure those cases that
involve vulnerable victims or matters of public protection receive priority.
During a recent investigation officers from HTCU discovered images of
children being abused, that discovery led to the safeguarding of three children
and an indeterminate sentence for the offender.

Detective Inspector Nick Coughlan, who manages the department, said: “Technology is ever evolving and our officers and staff must constantly learn and develop to keep pace with these developments.

“The unit supports provides a wide variety of investigation varying from drug supply linked to organised crime to detecting those who use technology to take, view or distribute illegal images.

“We are constantly developing and keeping up-to-date with advances in technology in order to make it easier for us to trace criminal activity.”

Did you know…? continues to focus on the public facing side of the Constabulary next week when it will highlight the work that goes on the Communications Centre where call handlers pick up phonecalls from the public.

Posters raising awareness of the work of the Constabulary will be distributed across police stations and in key places amongst communities such as libraries, doctors’
surgeries and leisure centres throughout the campaign.

The campaign will be extended onto the Constabulary’s social networking accounts with dedicated ‘tweetdays’ and webchats.