THEY have been a major benefit to crime-fighting and, as a result, have become a staple scene in detective thrillers over the years.

But the age of the identification parade could soon be over - and leading the way in the revolution are police in North Yorkshire.

They are leading the country in the video identification of suspects thanks to an investment in equipment of about £100,000.

ID parades, usually comprising a row of volunteers and one suspect, are already fairly uncommon in modern policing.

They are now likely to become even more so as the equipment means a parade can be prepared and organised within minutes and viewed on a computer screen - saving thousands of pounds a year.

Inspector Nick Verity has overseen the creation of a video ID room in York's Fulford Road police station, which will be used by the whole force.

He said: "Previously, video ID parades were prepared on the force's behalf by South Yorkshire Police at their headquarters in Sheffield and, of course, we were charged for their services."

The system uses a computer which holds a database of suspect and volunteer photographs, together with a video camera to record future images.

Also included is a security camera system which can record the procedure, making it unnecessary for a defence solicitor to be present.

The parade and footage can be presented as evidence in court.