THE police intelligence unit is playing an increasingly important role in Operation Lancelot, an anti-burglary initiative running throughout Sedgefield borough.

The unit is a vital part of Durham Constabulary and aims to provide residents of County Durham and Darlington with a safe environment in which to live and work.

In Sedgefield, the unit is based in Spennymoor, and consists of police officers and support staff working side-by-side. The unit operates within the framework of the National Intelligence Model, a national standard ensuring all forces deal effectively with intelligence.

Staff are responsible for collating information submitted by operational officers, members of the community and other agencies. The information is processed and passed to officers for action.

Information is distributed to officers via an electronic intelligence bulletin to computers in each police station.

The bulletin can be updated and circulated within minutes of information coming into the unit, allowing the most recent information to be available to officers almost immediately.

The unit is also responsible for undertaking Crime Pattern Analysis (CPA), which involves looking in detail at crimes and trying to establish any similarities.

This in turn identifies patterns or trends that may emerge about area, time and the method used. Operational patrols can then be directed to vulnerable areas at the most appropriate times.

CPA also allows links to other areas, useful when offenders are often active in more than one area.