The Metropolitan Police Service is enhancing its support for victims of crime with the roll-out of new “Digital Interview Recording (DIR) kits.” The technology aims to streamline the interview process for victims, suspects, and witnesses, providing a more accessible and supportive experience, particularly for women and girls affected by violence.
The DIR kits, part of the Met’s “New Met for London” initiative, allow for professional-quality audio and video recordings without the need for outdated DVDs or CDs. The portable equipment can be used in police stations or other locations more convenient for victims, providing a significant advance in victim care.
The lightweight kits are easily carried underarm and facilitate remote interviews and identification parades, offering victims the option to participate from locations where they feel more comfortable. Recordings are securely uploaded to a cloud-based system, ensuring prompt access for investigative teams, the Crown Prosecution Service, and senior Met leaders.
Commander Stephen Clayman, responsible for the roll-out of the DIR kits, stated, “This represents one of the largest rollouts of this equipment nationally, given the scale of the MPS. It has helped us listen and respond to victims’ experiences and allowed us to capture evidence in an environment that puts victims first.”
The DIR kits have already been distributed to specialist units within the Met, including the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences and the Child Abuse Investigation Teams. Their portability ensures that victims do not need to travel to a police building to provide their account, instead allowing them to do so in a setting that makes them feel most comfortable.
The equipment has also been employed in a range of locations, including prisons, hospitals, mental health units, and even overseas at government or law enforcement facilities. The ability to conduct interviews in such varied settings enhances the chances of obtaining high-quality evidence, ultimately supporting better investigative outcomes.
Detective Inspector Richard Lewsley, from the Met’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences unit in northwest London, emphasized the importance of the DIR kits, saying, “The device demonstrates we are committed to supporting victims’ needs and enabling them to provide evidence while giving our officers the right tools to do their jobs effectively.”
A notable success involved a victim-survivor who returned to Poland after an aggravated burglary and sexual assault. The victim was able to participate in an identification parade at the British Embassy in Poland, leading to the suspect’s arrest in the UK. This example highlights the transformative impact of the DIR technology, which enables secure remote evidence collection and speeds up the investigative process.
James Higgins, Project Manager with the Met’s Digital Data and Technology team, added, “We have collaborated with front-line officers and the supplier to develop an advanced, secure, and comprehensive Portable Interview Kit which represents a transformative approach to interviewing, offering substantial benefits to the Metropolitan Police and enhancing the conduct of victim and witness interviews.”
The DIR kits have proven effective in reducing delays in accessing vital evidence, ultimately helping the Met to expedite investigations and bring offenders to justice. The technology is also being adopted internationally, with approximately 160 deployments across the world, including in Belgium, Poland, Luxembourg, and the United States.
The Metropolitan Police remain committed to their “A New Met for London” plan, equipping officers with the tools and technology needed to serve Londoners more effectively, maintain public trust, and uphold high standards in policing.
