AVON and Somerset Police has spent £12 million on laptops and mobile phones so that officers spend less time in stations and more on the beat.

The investment will allow them to hot desk in cafés, libraries and community centres to complete their paperwork so they can move more quickly between jobs.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said greater use of mobile technology has been her dream since she took office and it will put the region’s officers at the forefront of policing.

She added: “I am excited that local people will soon see the impact of this technology in their communities through the accessibility and availability of their police officers.”

Deputy Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “In Avon and Somerset we are committed to giving our offers the tools they need to be outstanding at serving the public.

“When it comes to technology, this means the best that is on offer so that they can be visible, accessible and fully equipped to respond wherever they are.

“Our officers are now able to use their devices wherever they happen to be, so they are making better use of community spaces such as cafes, libraries and community centres, as well as partner agencies’ sites, in order to do their work on the go and without needing to return to the police station so often.

“I know that people appreciate a visible police presence in their community, and my hope is that as officers increasingly take their office outside, the public’s confidence in our service will increase.

“The time saved by officers using this new technology will be put back into proactive policing, community engagement and preventative work.”