The UK’s Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has revealed plans to invest about £200m in the next three to four years in efforts to upgrade its Information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.

The MPS’ Total Technology latest strategy involves transformation, making policing more effective and bringing down its IT expenditure by up to 30%.

Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe added that the new technology would be used to stop crime, arrest offenders or help victims.

"We need to keep police officers out of police stations and reduce bureaucracy," Howe said.

"Digital policing will help us to do this."

Dozens of IT systems will be replaced with fewer core systems, which would support the criminal justice process, while reducing paperwork, duplication as well increase the number of criminals being convicted.

It will also facilitate accessing information and intelligence and enhanced information sharing with other agencies.

The initiative also allows providing tablet-type devices to over 15,000 front-line officers as part of efforts to keep them connected and well-informed.

Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Stephen Greenhalgh said: "This strategy heralds a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise the Met and ensure it is fully equipped for the demands of twenty-first century policing."

A large-scale pilot of 1,000 body-worn video kits will be rolled out across Hammersmith and Fulham in the spring, which would save the organisation money on complaints, with the full fledged roll out anticipated from Autumn 2014.

MPS chief information officer Richard Thwaite said:"Our new agile ways of working will allow for shorter delivery lead times, whilst more flexible contracts with a tougher governance approach will ensure the technology we buy is "roadworthy" and stays fit for purpose in the years ahead."