Police radiation fears dismissed

System could improve communication between forces

Fears a new police radio system could affect operators' brains have been dismissed by the government's radiation watchdog.

Evidence that frequencies used by the system may alter brain tissue is "unclear", and potential health risks are "unlikely", a National Radiological Protection Board report says.

The £2.5bn Tetra radio system is being trialed by police in parts of Lancashire before being rolled out across the country.

But opponents say more research is needed before it is put to widespread use.

Frequencies 'to be avoided'

Last year a government scientific report said there was some evidence that the frequencies used by Tetra had a biological effect on human tissue and urged said the frequencies "should be avoided".

The government then asked scientist Sir Richard Doll to investigate all the available research, and his conclusion appears at odds with the earlier advice.

Sir Richard said the science behind the findings was contradictory and he did not think that Tetra posed a risk.

'Panic button'

The new system is said to offer a more secure method of communication - and in the future it will be used to send photos and computerised records to officers at crime scenes.

Each of the special handsets could have an emergency "panic button" enabling an officer in trouble to be located to within inches of his position, even if he is not in a position to radio for help.

At present all 43 forces in England and Wales have their own different communications systems - a major handicap when police face organised criminal gangs who operate across boundaries.

But there are still opponents who feel the potential health risks of the system outweigh the benefits.

They say that while there is doubt the government should delay the introduction of the Tetra system until research shows beyond reasonable doubt that the technology is safe.