Hyndburn is playing its part in trialling a state-of-the-art fingerprint gadget which can identify suspects within two minutes.
The Mobile Identification devices will soon be rolled out by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA).
Over the past year, one device has been used by traffic police across Eastern Division - which includes Hyndburn.
The device allows police to scan a person's fingerprint to check them against a database, to establish who they are.
A police spokesman said: “We are currently trialling a number of kits and once we are happy with the prototype we will look to increase the number that we have.
“It is of no cost to Lancashire as we have been provided for the funding for them and our road policing teams have been trialling them.”
So far, officers say the gizmos have saved an average of 30 minutes per case when used and they have seen an increase in public confidence.
They can also be used to identify someone unconscious or dead at an accident scene.
It is hoped that the items will speed-up police work by saving officers from having to arrest and detain people to find out who they are.
Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, who is leading the project, said: “There is no doubt that this step forward in technology will help officers on the front line.
“It will help to identify offenders, cut down on wasted time in custody suites, enhance officer safety and it will be a powerful tool in the fight against criminals.”
