Suspected criminals in Oxfordshire will be lining up in virtual identification parades.

Thames Valley Police is the first in the country to sign up to an electronic database system, pioneered by West Yorkshire Police.

The Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording (VIPER) system has head and shoulder photographs of more than 6,000 suspected criminals and can match those who look similar for a compilation tape. These images will be shown to witnesses of crimes.

Suspects have to agree to having their pictures on the system and can choose the people they want to appear with them on the tape and in which order.

Oxford identification officer Dave Hill said: "Although it won't take over from the normal line-up it is a very helpful tool in those cases where the witnesses are really vulnerable, elderly or infirm or would be traumatised by coming to a police station and taking part in an identity parade.

"It also helps the suspect if they are particularly distinctive in appearance. It will give them and their solicitor much more choice to select people who are similar."

Thames Valley Police has had the equipment installed at its ID suite at St Aldate's station in Oxford.

If a suspect who takes part in a video identity parade is not convicted, the compilation tapes will be destroyed.