Police shine light on how data is used

24-hour Tweetathon reveals methods

POLICE forces have highlighted how they use mobile phone and online data to locate criminals and solve crimes.

Leicestershire Police is one of four forces who took part in a 24-hour Tweetathon last Thursday to demonstrate how they are using technology to bolster investigations.

Under current law, forces can request information on the who, when and where of a communication, but not what is written or said.

The details of the communication, not the content, can be traced for the majority of crimes, including “volume” offences such as frauds, harassments, burglaries, robberies and thefts.

Police forces use data in the early stages of investigations to prove or disprove where a person was, or determine who they were with or who they spoke to.

Often the information is invaluable in proving guilt as well as innocence, police said.

Examples of where communications data has been used effectively include proving a suspect was at the scene of an arson, linking possible suspects with malicious calls and placing people at the scene of a crime.

Leicestershire Police teamed up with Durham, Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire for the Tweetathon last week.

National policing lead for communications data, ACC Richard Berry, said: “The argument is often made that we can have privacy and freedom or security.

“In the police service, we believe we can have privacy, freedom and security.

“That is a guiding principle under which we act and we work hard to get the balance right.

“Communications data is one of the most valuable tools we have to investigate crime today and is vital if we are to keep pace in today’s digitalised world.”

Tracking digital communications data is governed by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which takes into account the principles of necessity, proportionality and collateral intrusion.