HANDHELD fingerprint devices have been issued to police in Lancashire to help identify suspects within two minutes.

The £1,500 Mobile Identification (Mobile ID) devices are being rolled out by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) to forces after a successful trial.

The device allows an officer on the beat to scan a person’s fingerpints and check them against the national database.

Police chiefs say it will cut time spent arresting and detaining individuals to establish who they are.

Fingerprints scanned on the MobileID devices will not be uploaded to the national database and do not count as evidence.

The trial, which included Lancashire, found benefits included an average saving of at least 30 minutes per case, identification of un-conscious or fatal victims and improved levels of public confidence.

DCC Peter Goodman said: “There is no doubt that this step forward in the use of technology will help police officers on the front line.

“It will 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.

“One of the most powerful weapons criminals have is their ability to hide their true identity.

“With the advent of MobileID, this will become much more difficult.”

There have been 250 devices given out nationally and Lancashire has 10 of the devices.