POLICE will start using a new radio system today meaning the end of the road for eavesdroppers who listened into police messages.

Forces across the country are starting to use the Airwave system and Swindon is the first Wiltshire division to make the switch.

The new radios, which are digital, have better coverage than before and are clearer, as well as being fully encrypted so they cannot be listened to.

The old system could be abused by criminals who could keep tabs on what messages officers were sending to police control.

The radios also send text messages and updates on incidents, and there is an emergency button.

The rest of the force will start on Airwave by the end of June.

Wiltshire's assistant chief constable Peter Vaughan said: "This new technology will provide significant operational benefit to officers and police staff.

"The coverage throughout the county is excellent and provides officers with the ability to make and receive phone calls, and send and receive messages and have personal private calls with their supervisors.

"This will make their tasks easier and more efficient.

There are many more developments to come with the system but the most important benefit immediately will be in providing officers with safe and secure voice communication which covers the whole county.

"For the first time we will have a fully encrypted radio system which cannot be monitored by criminals."