POLICE in the county are focussing on getting hold of state-of-the-art laser equipment – in a bid to reduce the amount of time roads are closed after serious accidents.

Hertfordshire Police Authority, which holds the purse-strings for the county force, has applied to the Department for Transport for cash to buy the equipment.

Under the DfT’s 3D Laser Scanning Technology Match-Fund Grant scheme a total of �3m is up for grabs.

A police spokeswoman said: “The scheme allows police authorities to bid for funding to pay for laser scanners that quickly and efficiently collect information from road traffic collisions.

“This allows the police to collect any information that is required for future legal action while only closing the road for a minimal period of time.”

Hertfordshire Police Authority is applying to fund two scanners. The total bill would be �230,000 and the authority is applying for 70 per cent of that cost.

Authority chairman David Lloyd said: “Hertfordshire has some of the busiest roads in the country, so using new technology to reduce accident investigation time is very welcome.

“The Department for Transport scheme, led by MP Mike Penning, is an excellent example of how police forces and Government can work together to make improvements for the public.”

The police authority will discover whether its bid has been successful by the end of December.

If it is, the equipment will be in use from April next year.