1. Reduces work load on constables dealing with "routine" items
2. Reduces overall cost
3. Ensures that higher visibility policing available
I recently had cause to have to report a crime to the Met Police: the two officers who attended were the very image of professionalism but it was pointed out to me, after the box ticking and long-hand writing of a statement for me to sign, that this would need to be typed up when they returned to their station.
It strikes me that where Ocado, Sainsbury and others can use PDAs, why can't the local constabulary? This would halve the amount of effort necessary and get more police back on the beat serving the public.