Online offenders register goes live

Friday, 19 August 2005 12:30 AM

A computer system allowing police to share information on Britain's most dangerous violent and sex offenders goes live today.

The violent and sex offender register (ViSOR) includes photos of offenders and any distinguishing marks they have, for which police officers around the country can search.

The database will also be accessible by staff at the probation service and the prison service, allowing them to share intelligence and risk assessment information instantly.

Developed and built by the police information technology organisation (PITO), the register comes in response to the Criminal Justice and Court Service Act 2000, which placed joint responsibility on police and probation services to manage dangerous offenders.

Home Office minister Fiona Mactaggart described the register as a "big step forward for public protection" and said it would cut bureaucracy for all those involved.

"ViSOR provides online, for the first time, complete and up-to-date information on the country's most dangerous offenders. It will help to reduce re-offending, protect the public and save police time," she said.

"Hours of police officers' time - that would have been spent retrieving information on offenders from around the country - is already being saved. ViSOR is a big step forward for public protection."

She added that the search and retrieval capabilities of the photographic library in particular would make it a "powerful tool" in solving crimes such as abductions, assaults and murders.

Terry Grange, the Association of Chief Police Officers' lead on violent crime, described the register as a "major advance" in police forces' ability to manage dangerous people.

And the national offender management service also welcomed the programme, saying it would allow public protection services to work together more efficiently.

Liz Hill, the senior responsible owner for ViSOR at the service, said: "For the first time, staff in the police, the probation service, and the prison service will be able to share intelligence and risk assessment information instantly via a common national database.

"As a result, offenders will be monitored and managed more effectively, and the public will be better protected."

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