ESSEX Police have started using a new computer system, which they say will help to catch criminals faster.

The Home Office has paid £7million for the Athena programme, which will be used in Essex as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Kent.

It means police officers can look at information not just from Essex Police, but from surrounding counties.

Nick Alston, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “This is excellent news and a recognition by the Home Office that Athena will deliver a seamless and integrated modern policing system that not only links systems within a force, but across all other participating forces.

“I have no doubt Athena will improve police efficiency and greatly enhance the service and protection provided to our communities.”

A new reporting system will eventually allow members of the public, as well as agencies and organisations within the community, to report crimes over the internet.

The system also allows different groups to share information, which police say will reduce the risk of important intelligence being missed.

Essex Police believe the system will help officers to respond to incidents more effectively too.