A COMPUTERISED geographical index of buildings, landmarks and major roads yesterday came into operation to improve the speed with which police respond to 999 emergency calls.
The gazeteer contains about 40,000 residential and business titles.
It has taken a team of officers nine years to input the detailed location information. Police chiefs hope the data will see inquiries answered within seconds - helping overcome concerns that the 999 dispatch was not operating at its best.
Staff Officer for the Information Technology Branch, Superintendent Neil Christie, said the equipment would improve the performance and reach of the force's command and control operations.
Mr Christie conceded it would take time to train all officers. But the equipment would provide visible benefits - including the ability to have a tourist's plea for directions answered immediately by a beat officer using the radio.
''This is a means whereby we can identify the location of a police beat or division closest to the incident,'' Mr Christie said.