Police force learns Soham lessons

Huntley, 29, is serving life in jail

Cleveland Police has been awarded £105,000 to spearhead work to make it easier for forces throughout the country to better share information.

The cash will be used to convert data from information systems into a common format that can be read by every force in the UK.

The work is part of the Impact Programme, which was set up following the inquiry into the Soham murders.

It called for improvements in the sharing of vital intelligence.

The new system will simplify the sharing and searching of information and help officers from different forces track down suspected offenders more easily.

Vital information

Deputy Chief Constable Ron Hogg said: "Intelligence-led policing is a key factor in reducing crime and boosting public confidence in our ability to police effectively.

"We are one of the forces that is leading this drive which will help revolutionise policing over the next few years."

A working model of their new system is likely to be ready for testing in 2006.

During the investigation into the murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002, it emerged that vital information about killer Ian Huntley was not shared between neighbouring police forces.

The former school caretaker was given a mandatory life sentence following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2003.