Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry has warned knife criminals they are more likely than ever to be caught after she saw new forensics technology being unveiled.
Nottinghamshire Police is one of five East Midlands forces that will benefit from an upgrade of new laboratory kit that will “take forensic investigations to the next level.”.
The refurbishment has created more space for new equipment and futureproofed the area for more kit, including a new machine that improves the ability to detect fingerprints on knives.
A total of 48,931 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument were recorded by UK police forces between June 2021 and June 2022.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry, who attended an unveiling ceremony for the new equipment, said: “The cutting-edge refurbishment of the Forensics Lab should assure victims of crime that we are at the forefront of technological advancements to ensure we can obtain best evidence.
“The improvements mean that investigations can be the more efficient and effective which will lead to more convictions of criminals.
“Forensic investigations can now be taken to the next level thanks to the upgrades put into place.”
As well as the new equipment, an improved layout means that better professional discussions between forensic teams can take place about exhibits and cases, which has cut down process times - allowing a better service to the forces and victims of crime.
In her police and crime plan, Commissioner Henry has detailed a heavy emphasis on supporting victims.
Ensuring services such as this are progressing with victim needs is vital to keeping Notts safe.
As part of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, the forensics team works on approximately 2800 cases per year, finding answers for the victims of crime across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
Andrew Price, Director of Corporate, Forensic and Technical Services for the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “Stories around knife crime seem to dominate the headlines on a weekly basis, so we want people in the East Midlands to feel safer knowing that we have state-of-the-art kit that can help us find prints on knives that are sent to us.
“We are committed to supporting our police forces in identifying those that carry and use knives, which can have devastating consequences for everyone involved.”
The lab was officially opened by Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry, and managers from East Midlands Special Operations Unit on Friday 11 November 2022.
Posted on Tuesday 22nd November 2022