PocketComms helps police with their enquiries

A COVENTRY company is helping the police overcome communication barriers caused by differences in language or disability.

Officers from Avon and Somerset Constabulary have been trialling PocketComms's pocket-sized global communicator.

PocketComms, based at The Technocentre, Puma Way, has developed a system, featuring more than 1,000 hand drawn images on a colourcoded chart to help people get their message across to others.

Supt Chris Weigold, from Avon and Somerset Constabulary, said: "Our aim is to make it easy for anyone to contact the police and as such we always looking for ways to improve communication.

"We are currently trialling PocketComms as it is a really simple concept that overcomes many of the communication barriers caused by differences in language or disability.

"In particular it allows someone to tell us how best we can help them at a time of need and in an emergency every second counts."

PocketComms is the brainchild of professional illustrator James Wyatt who said there were many more applications for the product.

He said: "I'm very excited and I'm very keen to work with the local police force and emergency services."

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