POLICE in County Durham are breaking technological boundaries by swapping their radios for a digital system.
The force has switched to a new £3.36m digital radio network. Police will now carry hand-held radios which weigh less than 200 grams, or 8oz, each. The new radios will filter out all background noise, providing top broadcast quality and double up as mobile phones. They are also programmed to meet individual needs and allow police to tap into computer data.
The Airwave service went live in the Chester-le-Street and Durham division on Saturday and will be in use in the remaining divisions by March next year.
The network also allows the division's police cars to be fitted with AVLS, an automatic vehicle location system that uses satellites to pinpoint where a patrol car, is to within a few feet.
Project manager Insp Bev Hills said: "Officers on patrol out on the streets will be able to speak to colleagues locally and in any other part of the country where Airwave is operating.
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