LANCASHIRE police have become the first UK force to order a new generation high-tech tracking device to help catch the county's most prolific travelling criminals.

The integrated Automatic Number Plate Recognition system from Screen plc combines an existing in-car video system with a hand-held mobile data system and enables officers to target "wanted" vehicles by scanning number plates in a fraction of a second.

If the system generates a "hit" the car is stopped by officers and the occupants and vehicle are searched.

The equipment, which is believed to cost about £100,000 and is connected to the Police National Computer, is due to be installed next month.

Almost every force in the country uses an in-car video system and data sytem but it is a rarity to find one using the new combined technology.

Darwen police have already been trialling the device, which has so far proved successful in spotting criminals crossing the Lancashire border into Greater Manchester and surrounding areas.

Detective Sergeant Neil Hunter, of Darwen CID, said they hoped it would work as a crime prevention method by deterring criminals once they knew they were being watched by police. He said: "I have been amazed at how well the equipment performs, which will hopefully allow us to catch the most prolific and persistent offenders who are coming in and out of Lancashire to commit crimes. "On the first day we trialled it we had a high number of hits, which brought to our attention people who had criminal records who were moving between Manchester and Lancashire.

"As a result the vehicles and occupants were stopped by patrols and spot checks were performed.

"We will be continuing to use the system on a frequent basis over the next few months in partnership with other police forces and we want these criminals to know they will not be tolerated. We are not prepared to accept behaviour of this nature. People coming into Darwen commit crime at their peril."

He also said it could help trace witnesses of fatal road traffic accidents by using the device to scan cars going past the incident spot and sending questionnaires out to the owners.

He said: "We could reach out to so many more potential witnesses who could have vital information that could lead to a breakthrough in a murder enquiry or a rape or a fatal accident."

Inspector Peter Stas, of the Lancashire Police Motorway Unit, said: "Mobile ANPR systems demonstrate how technology can assist road policing officers to detect and arrest those who commit crimes."