POLICE officers could be kitted out with state-of-the-art gadgets to tackle crime on Hampshire's streets, under radical new plans.

Cops on the beat should carry hi-tech palm-sized computers, mobile phones, pocket digital cameras and sophisticated forensic kits, including fingerprint tests, said Mark Oaten MP.

In a keynote speech to the Association of Chief Police Officers' annual conference, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman said: "I want to see an army of techno-cops rather than paper clip cops.''

The Winchester MP believes arming police officers with new technology would deter would-be offenders, improve crime detection and reduce the time spent form-filling.

He told the Daily Echo: "I would like to see a major investment in police technology - at the moment if your car suffers a breakdown the AA and RAC turn up with more sophisticated equipment than the average bobby.

"My message to the conference will be, 'The police must tech-up to cut paperwork and improve crime-fighting.

"You must be given the equipment to bring yourselves into the 21st century."

Mr Oaten said he would fund the hi-tech upgrade by scrapping the government's proposed ID card, costing £3 billion.

He said: "This would be more effective tackling terrorism than a little plastic card.''