Crystal Ball device helps put crime gang behind bars
A high-tech GPS device fitted into a car has helped police catch and put a major UK crime gang behind bars for more than 50 years.
The device was fitted by fleet tracking service provider Crystal Ball and provided information to detectives which led to the arrest and conviction of 14 people at a court in the north of England.
Crystal Ball managing director Raj Singh said: “This case highlights that, not only is this product a very effective and comprehensive tool for businesses wanting to monitor their fleet vehicles, it can also provide valuable information in the fight against crime.
“After a formal request from police, we were able to retrieve and provide precise journey and location information for a vehicle over a three-month period which was very detailed and robust enough to stand legal scrutiny and help obtain convictions.”
Manchester-based Crystal Ball is developing technology which will aid vehicle tracking, lone worker protection and employee monitoring as well as fighting crime.
Its newly developed tracking applications for mobile phones also provide the same level of detailed information and create a remote workforce management system which allows employers to comply with legislation and protect their workforce.
Exact details of the case and the locations where the offences were committed are not being released as police are hoping to use the technology again as a cutting edge tool in their fight against organised crime.
However, one of the country’s top detectives – former Det Chief Supt Mick Gradwell – has heralded it as a significant breakthrough in the battle against organised criminal gangs.
He said: “To be able to obtain this level of detail from a tracking device over such a long period of time and through such a technically reliable system has major implications for tracking the movements of criminals and fighting crime.
“I can think of many cases where this kind of technology would have greatly assisted officers in bringing criminals to justice.”
Crystal Ball systems allow the monitoring of live journey information including speed, journey time and distance and use of hands-free kits.
Its web-based system also captures all incoming and outgoing mobile phone call and text information in real time.
The company’s applications work on GPS-enabled smart phones.
Raj Singh, who has a 25-year track record in the mobile phone and tracking industries, added: “The same live data provided by GPS tracking devices can now be provided just as accurately and more cost-effectively by a mobile phone, bringing a totally fresh and innovative dimension to vehicle tracking, which can aid not only businesses but criminal investigations too.”
Comprehensive mobile phone and vehicle tracking packages are available from Crystal Ball from £6.94 per month.
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