February 5, 2001 16:02: THAMES Valley Police is launching a new computer system to help tackle crime.

The National Management Information System will allow the force to collect and analyse data under one system, including response to calls, crime statistics, vehicle fixed penalties and police personal details.

The force says that improved analysis of police operations will help it assess where the resources are needed.

The system will also allow comparisons of forces at a national level as they will all be producing statutory reports in the same way.

Linda Semmens, NMIS project leader at Thames Valley Police said: "Data from a number of the force's key systems will be joined together in one database.

"This will enable staff to access the information they require quickly and easily, without the need to log on to a number of different systems."

The Police Information Technology Organisation is launching NMIS across all forces in England and Wales by 2003.

It is being funded with £37 million from the Government.

The Thames Valley Police is one of the seven forces taking early delivery of the system which should be running within 12 months.