Borough police commander Supt Rob Jones this week revealed the weapons officers have to combat crime.

He said technology provides new opportunities to help police fight crime.

“Our marked police vehicles have mobile data terminals that act like sophisticated sat navs.

Not only do they send information to our officers about those who need our help, but they can also be used to check suspicious vehicles and to receive pictures of people who are wanted for serious crime.

“They use global positioning system (GPS) technology to show what vehicles are available and where they are, so the nearest available unit can be sent as quickly as possible.

“There have been questions recently about the effects of efficiency savings to reduce the number of marked police vehicles in Newham, and it is true that we have recently saved the money spent on police cars.

“But despite this I am very proud to say that we respond to emergency calls in Newham as quickly as almost anywhere in the country.

“We are also using new gadgets that can check fingerprints of people suspected of crime quickly, and every officer has a personal radio that can be used to speak to officers all over London – and across the country.

“We also use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to find vehicles used in crimes like burglary and motor vehicle crime, and to identify disqualified drivers and people with no insurance.

“More illegally used vehicles are stopped and reclaimed in Newham than anywhere else in London.

Mobile phones help us to find missing people who are particularly vulnerable and may be in danger.

Digital CCTV is a key part of crime investigation and facial recognition techniques continue to develop our ability to track and detain criminals, and DNA traces can lead us to the people responsible for serious crime.”

He added that nothing will replace the “reassuring presence of officers on the beat,” adding: “But properly used, technology helps our officers to do their job even better.”