The Indian Merchants' Chambers, in coordination with a US-based company Polycom Technology, has announced its new initiative using technology to support the government, especially to modernise crime detection.

IMC and Polycom, world leaders in video-conferencing, teamed up to showcase the security preparedness for the country at a presentation in Mumbai in the presence of Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Rajendra Darda and Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) Satyapal Singh among others, an IMC release said on Friday.

"This programme has been set up to ensure best practices in crime control in India, keeping in mind the increased need for security," IMC officials said.

Vice president of Polycom Michael Baker shared how the video-conferencing helped the United States' emergency operations agencies and police manage and control serious issues.

"This has not only helped us gather intelligence to fight crime and terrorism but also to share it quickly across the country in an easy and efficient manner," Baker said.

"It also provides secure networks for processing of prisoners and other criminal offenders," he said.

In addition, the technology is also used (in US) in prisons for healthcare and education, Baker added.

The company's vice-president and managing director (Asia Pacific region) Jean-Francois Poulain said: "Scams, corruption, terrorism and other disasters have become synonymous with life all over the world and the US police has gained from this technology and I am sure this will also help Indian police get an edge in preventing crime."