Police officers would no longer have to rummage through paper files or documents to zero in on gangsters, thanks to re-introduction of online criminal database software.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj said: “The software was designed in 2009-10 when I was the city superintendent of police but was forgotten. The software has been revived again with a complete database of all criminals, absconders and history-sheeters of the city.”

Apart from reducing time to zero in on the criminals, the software will also enable the cops to look at the criminals’ profiles.

The software, once fully developed, would have basic information like the criminal’s name, his photograph, any special physical feature like a cut or scar, his residential and personal details, criminal history and area of operation.

The details would be available to officers at the click of a mouse.

“The software was in the development stage some years ago and the system had been started as well. But it was stopped abruptly.

“The police would revive the same after instructions to develop the software and work towards executing the scheme. This will save the police a lot of work. At present, a time frame cannot be set but work on the software has been started and it will be upgraded and updated soon. It will be made available to all police stations in the state capital,” the SSP said.

The police are also keeping a track on all criminals lodged in jails.

“There are many criminals who operate in Patna and its suburbs. Several of them are lodged in prisons. The police keep a track on them and know the dates of their release from jails. It has been witnessed that whenever a criminal or a gang is released from prison, the crime rate goes up. For example, if a criminal involved in thefts is released, he usually gathers his associates or forms a new gang. In very few cases, do these men reform themselves. The police follow such patterns to identify gangs leading to arrests.

“The police have heaps of records, but only on papers and files. The software will contain all the information,” another police officer told The Telegraph.

Earlier, the city police had started an online system wherein people could log on to the website of Patna police (http://patnapolice.bih.nic.in) and lodge a complaint. The same would then be forwarded to the police station concerned.

In a recent meeting with police officers of the district, the SSP said all police stations now have e-mail addresses and officers have been directed to learn using online technology to go through online complaints.

“The officers have been asked to learn using computers and e-mails. This software, once operational, will be of great use to all police officers in the district. Work is on in full force in this connection,” the SSP said.