MORE bobbies could be out and about on the beat thanks to a new piece of technology being used across the Weston area. Computers have been

MORE bobbies could be out and about on the beat thanks to a new piece of technology being used across the Weston area.Computers have been installed in 14 police cars across Avon and Somerset Constabulary and are helping officers to do a lot of the jobs which normally leave them chained to their desks.There are also four similar hand-held devices which do the same job and can check the electoral roll, do a vehicle registration check and give the police access to a national database.The new gadgets also enable police officers to do 'mapping' which involves bringing up a map and zooming in on roads or even individual houses in the district.Chief Superintendent Julian Moss said: "The most frustrating thing about the job is being stuck in front of a computer in the office."What we want to do is free officers up from the station and help them as much as possible to be out on the streets."This is phase one of the project where we are discussing its progress. In phase two we want more devices and software to be put on the computers."The mapping facility will enable officers to look at the layout of properties when they need to."Police community support officers are also finding it useful so they can give people accurate directions."The police cannot confirm when the next stage of the project will be carried out and when the computers could be installed more widely across the district.