§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what data sharing system each police force is operating or proposing to operate; whether the systems are compatible; what he is doing to ensure compatibility; what his estimate is of the cost of ensuring compatibility; whether he will be requiring compatibility; what resources will be invested, and from what sources, for compatibility; and if he will make a statement. [172277]
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§ Caroline FlintPolice Services operate a number of systems for different operational purposes and the extent of data sharing between these has depended on local requirements. The "Information Strategy for the Police Service" provides guidance to forces on technical integration of systems and a corporate data model to support data sharing both within and between forces. The Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) and its Central Customer are actively engaged with forces, the Association of Chief Police Officers and others in articulating the information sharing needs of the Police Service. A specific initiative to facilitate data sharing in support of the National Intelligence Model is incorporated within the Home Office Police Science and Technology Strategy. The first step is a feasibility and costing study. This will link with the Cross Regional Information Sharing Project (CRISP) that is being taken forward by a consortium of forces, supported by PITO, to share information across force boundaries.