GMP, Devon and Cornwall and Gloucestershire are trialing the new technology.

Software which allows officers to instantly download relevant data from a mobile phone is currently being piloted.

Three forces will be carrying out the pilot due to conclude in November.

Desktop-sized machines will be connected to a mobile device and can be done while on scene or at an individual’s home.

Commenting on the project, Devon and Cornwall Detective Chief Inspector Lee Nattrass said: “The trial focuses on devices belonging to victims, witnesses and suspects and reduces impact on victims as it limits the circumstances where devices need to be seized.

“Principally this also means that the owner of the device is present while the download takes place retaining control of their device.

“The usual process for digital data gathering is that a victim or witness would hand over their device which is then sent away to the Digital Forensic Unit for processing, which could see a victim without a mobile device for a considerable amount of time.

“We understand that such a process can be daunting to a victim, especially at their time of need when they’ve been a victim of crime. This is another step in the right direction in offering a compassionate victim-first approach to policing.”

Detectives using the tech have completed training days and the force has said that if the pilot is successful, they hope to roll the technology out force-wide.