Thursday, December 9, 2010

Birmingham police to use US-style gunshot sensors

Birmingham police to use US-style gunshot sensors ; Police in Birmingham are the first in the UK to deploy US-style gunshot sensors in a bid to cut gun crime – a move that could be followed by other forces. The technology, said to pick up shots within a 25-mile radius, has been installed high up on buildings in areas with a high number of firearms incidents.

The sensors record audio clips and give police GPS locations so that officers can listen before deciding whether to send other officers to incidents. Chief Supt Chris McKeogh, of West Midlands police, said the Shotspotter had an 85% accuracy rate. He told the BBC: "The sound waves a bullet produces has a particular 'signature' and that should be recognisable to our force control room officers that have been trained up to listen.

"Shots, or a shot, being fired outside have the best chance (of being detected). Inside or with a silencer, the ability is not so good."

The system, which costs nearly £150,000 to deploy and has an annual upkeep of nearly £21,000, will operate in areas including Handsworth and Aston. It has been used to tackle gang-related violence in 51 US cities, and has cut gun crime by nearly a third in some areas. Other forces, including in London, Manchester, Nottingham and Liverpool, are believed to have looked at the technology.

McKeogh recently told Jane's Police Product Review the system would "enable us to respond faster and more effectively to firearms incidents, therefore minimising the harm to local communities and maximising the opportunity to seize illegal firearms , catch offenders and potentially save lives.

"The technology will tell us how many firearms have been discharged prior to officers arriving, which enables us to maximise the safety of our officers and (the) public."

The Home Office-backed system starts months after a £3m CCTV system aimed at Muslim areas in the city was removed to rebuild trust with local communities The force was criticised for not consulting residents properly.

Raj Rattu, a member of Handsworth residents' group and part of the force's trust and confidence group, told the BBC he was reassured by the approach police had adopted for the gunshot sensors project. He said 400 residents attended one meeting, where "mixed views" were expressed.

"Some are for it, some are against it, and we understand police are caught in a dilemma. We want guns off our streets and gun crime is falling, but we are reassuring residents that the areas are safe and we're working with the police."

The project will be reviewed after six months and again after a year. Birmingham has seen 295 firearm incidents, with 59 of those involving shots being fired, so far this year. Last year there was a total of 440, with 60 involving shots

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