Information obtained by detectives from the new GPS tracking device fitted into a car led to the arrest and conviction of 18 people at a court in the north of England earlier this month.

Crystal Ball managing director Raj Singh said: 'This case highlights that, not only is this product a very effective and comprehensive tool for businesses wanting to monitor their fleet vehicles, it can also provide valuable information in the fight against crime.

'After a formal request from police, we were able to retrieve and provide precise journey and location information for a vehicle over a three-month period which was very detailed and robust enough to stand legal scrutiny and help obtain convictions.'

The gang involved in the operation is due to be sentenced in the coming weeks.

Exact details of the case and the locations where the offences were committed are not being released as police are hoping to use the technology again in their fight against organised crime.

But one of the country's top detectives has heralded it as a significant breakthrough in the battle against organised criminal gangs.

Former Det Chief Supt Mick Gradwell explained: 'To be able to obtain this level of detail from a tracking device over such a long period of time and through such a technically reliable system has major implications for tracking the movements of criminals and fighting crime.

'I can think of many cases where this kind of technology would have greatly assisted officers in bringing criminals to justice.'