HAMPSHIRE police officers are to be given state-of-the-art handheld computers in a bid to combat red tape and inefficiency.

The devices are part of a £30m Government initiative to give police officers more time to fight crime and less dealing with bureaucracy.

Officers using the new computers will save about 30 minutes each shift as they will be able to send and receive information while on the beat.

The computer will initially be given to some frontline officers as part of a pilot scheme lasting until autumn 2009.

Deputy Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “We welcome this funding for handheld computers. These computers are valuable tool for a modern police officer.

“Patrolling officers with access to databases, such as the Police National Computer, command and control and intelligence systems, will spend less time returning to the station and more time on the frontline, increasing visibility and reassuring the public.”