Home Office to review police IT

The Home Office is to undertake a major review of the Police IT Organisation (Pito).

Former BOC Group chief executive Robert McFarland is to lead a review of Pito's performance and structure, as well as its role in serving police forces across the country.

McFarland will also look at the wider criminal justice network, and is due to report his findings in October.

A Pito spokeswoman insisted that the review is standard practice, and not the result of under performance.

"It is standard for departments to go through these reviews every five years," she said.

Pito was established in 1997 and plays a leading role in improving IT across all police forces in the country.

Current projects include the rollout of the controversial Tetra radio system, and creating a national firearms register.

Home Office Minster Hazel Blear said in a statement: "Technology has the capacity to increase detection [rates], cut bureaucracy and increase efficiency.

"Pito is therefore at the forefront of delivering the police reform agenda."

McFarland was involved in the 2002 review of the Forensic Science Service, and the 1997 review of the Crown Prosecution Service.