2:10pm Wednesday 17th June 2009
FRONTLINE police officers in Worcestershire are using headcams to capture criminal activity on film.
The body-worn-video (BWV) cameras, which record live footage that can later be used as evidence, are being used by uniformed officers, special constables and community support officers across the West Mercia Police force.
The South Worcestershire division has been given 20 headcams and officers in Worcester used them for the first time last week in the Saddlers Walk area of Worcester’s Blackpole..
Inspector Steph Brighton said the cameras would soon become a common sight.
She said advantages included reducing the amount of time officers spent on paperwork and an increased chance of conviction in the case of victimless prosecutions, such as domestic abuse.
“We envisage headcams as another ground-breaking tool that we can pro-actively use in specific circumstances to ensure that south Worcestershire remains a safe place in which to live, work and relax,” she said.
The cameras, which are attached to helmets and worn on the ear, do not constantly record. They are used by the officer to capture footage that he or she believes could be used as evidence.
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