§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the benefits to Gwent Police of the Tetra communication system. [153031]
§ Ms BlearsBy mid-2006, all police forces in England, Wales and Scotland will be using Airwave, their new radio system.
Airwave provides modern and efficient radiocommunications, giving excellent coverage and secure transmissions and improving the safety of police officers and the public.
In Gwent, officers are able to use Airwave handsets in 96 per cent. of the force area, compared with 30 per cent. coverage using the old radio system. Airwave car radios can be used in 99 per cent. of the force area, compared with 90 per cent. previously. This increased coverage allows officers to attend incidents safely in areas such as Forest Coalpit, Llanthony and the Wye Valley, which was not possible with the previous radio system.