Police PDA developer bought out

A GLASGOW University spin-out firm that writes software to help police officers file reports while out on patrol has been sold to its biggest shareholder for a "seven-figure" sum.

Kelvin Connect was snapped up by Slough-based Airwave, which already provides a communications network for the emergency services that covers 99 per cent of the UK's landmass.

Airwave took a 37 per cent stake in the spin-out in 2008 for 1 million but has now bought out the other shareholders, including founders Meurig Sage and Phillip Gray.

The software runs on personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other handheld computers, letting police officers complete their paperwork while out on the beat.

All 30 staff at Kelvin Connect - which was spun out of the university's School of Computing Science in 2002 - will stay with the firm, which will remain an "autonomous entity" with its own brand and Glasgow base.

David Sangster, director of UK services at Airwave, which has an office in Bellshill, said: "I'm really excited about the possibilities this acquisition brings to Airwave.

"Kelvin Connect is a proven market leader. This presents an opportunity to deliver efficiency savings to frontline public services."