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Bringing burglars to “heel” is the goal of a new initiative by Sussex Police. Operation Sole will see those arrested for burglary and robbery having the tread of their shoes scanned.
As the “Sole” provider of custody services in Sussex, Reliance Secure Task Management is working “in step” with the police on the project. Reliance is already “well heeled” at ID photographs and fingerprinting during the processing of a detainee and it was a natural extension to also scan the soles of a burglar’s shoes. This involved the installation of specialist machines and the training of over 35 Reliance Custody Staff on the equipment.
Shoe scans are sent for checking against a database where they are checked against the patterns of shoes lifted at other burglary or robbery scenes.
CI Pete Dommett who is in charge of Sussex Custody said, “Reliance have really “Stepped up to the mark” and we are grateful to them for taking on the added responsibility of scanning the footwear of those arrested for burglary and robbery.”
A spokes person for Sussex Police said, “With fingerprints and DNA already well established as ways of identifying offenders, it is anticipated that shoemarks will now become a third key forensic strand in the identification of suspects or linking of offences, ultimately resulting in the detection of more crime by forensic means.”
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Editors Notes:
Reliance Secure Task Management is part of the Reliance Security Group plc, an established market leader in the provision of support services, contract security, electronic surveillance and facilities management. The Group employs over 12,600 people from a network of offices throughout the UK.
Since 1995, when Reliance was awarded the contract for Prisoner Escorting in the South West Reliance STM has grown to a business employing over 2,600 people Nationwide and a turnover of over £80 Million.
From their permanent base in Bristol they operate a wide range of contracts, on behalf of the Home Office, Scottish Executive, Prison Service, Government Agencies and Police Authorities across the UK.
For more information please contact Scott Williams 01179 33 66 42