Greater Manchester Police home working ban amid ‘key jamming’ probe

Greater Manchester Police have suspended home working privileges following an investigation into so-called “key-jamming”, which can allow people to falsely appear to be working.

Twenty-six police officers, staff and contractors are facing misconduct proceedings following the probe, the force said.

It comes after the anti-corruption unit identified what it called “abnormal key stroke behaviour” on GMP-issued devices.

Key-jamming can see items left on a computer keypad or the device otherwise manipulated to make someone appear to be active.

GMP said the move was part of an ongoing programme to drive out poor performance and improve efficiency.

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: “This operation has been under way for a number of months and, as a result, we have taken action this week to allow for greater investigation into what has happening.

“The abnormal keystroke behaviour comes from repeated key presses and could be from an item left on a keypad, pressing down one key.

“GMP isn’t the first force in the UK to have undertaken an operation such as this, and we have seen other industries take swift action, where deliberate key-jamming has been proven.”

The force said line managers would also be spoken to and face greater leadership scrutiny.