MORE than 400 people across Devon and Cornwall have been fitted with electronic monitoring ‘tags’ according to the latest figures.

A total of 420 people had the tags across the two counties at the end of June this year.

Tagging, usually in the form of a device worn around the ankle, is used by the UK justice system to remotely track, record, and monitor individuals.

It is mainly used to support the work of the probation services, courts, prisons, police and the Home Office by ensuring people comply with specific legal restrictions while living in the community rather than serving time in prison.

They can be used to enforce curfews and monitor locations. There are also devices which test the wearer’s sweat to make sure they are complying with any alcohol bans imposed on them.

The devices communicate with either a home-installed wireless base unit or global satellites. If a person tampers with the equipment or violates their strict rules, they can be sent back to court or prison.

They can be placed on defendants awaiting trial as a condition of remaining at liberty or imposed by judges as part of a community or suspended sentence order instead of jail time.

They can be applied after release from prison under a curfew or as a condition of parole, and they can be used by the Home Office to keep track of people navigating immigration cases.

In June, Devon and Cornwall had 100 people tagged on court bail, 90 as part of a sentence from the courts, 190 after release from prison and 40 for people in immigration cases.

The Metropolitan Police in London had the highest number of people tagged, with 5,410, followed by the West Midlands with 2,250. The lowest number among English police forces was recorded in North Yorkshire, with just 150.

The information was released as a result of a question asked in Parliament.