Police in Leigh are out and about with a new piece of equipment as part of a county-wide survey on how officers spend their time.

The officers have all be given a hand-held Psion organiser which bleeps every 15 minutes and requests information on exactly what the officer is doing.

Sgt Ian Cummings of Leigh police said: "It is a survey by headquarters on how much time officers spend out and about and how much time they spend deskbound with paperwork.

"By collating the information officers enter into the machines, bosses will be able to tell if we are getting the balance right and identify any obvious gaps in service."

PC Mark McQuade demonstrates his new organiser

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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