Police use body-cams

6:08am Thursday 7th August 2008

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Officers across the Vale of the White Horse have been given an extra set of eyes on their patrols in the form of body-worn cameras.

The mini cameras, which will be worn on the chest, have been purchased using a grant from the Home Office, further supported by funding from the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Officers in Abingdon, Faringdon, Wantage and the surrounding area started wearing the equipment this month. This includes a compact lightweight digital camera mounted onto the officers' uniform which transmits images via a cable to a small digital video recorder worn on the officer's belt. The camera also has a microphone and works equally well during daylight and at night.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and response officers will wear the cameras as a deterrent and evidence gathering measure.

Positive feedback has already been received from officers who have trialled the equipment in West Oxfordshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Reading and Aylesbury.

Sgt James Blackburn, based at Abingdon police station, said: "Police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) working in the Vale will be equipped with these cameras.

"Having this form of recording equipment is an exciting advance in technology that could contribute to our ability to secure evidence at crimes that we attend in the Vale of the White Horse.

"They provide the sound and the vision to capture real life situations that can then be presented at court if required. This should add to our traditional statements by providing a richer picture through true representation.

"We will be using modern technology to our advantage; contributing to community safety, helping us to meet the priorities of the neighbourhoods and using the cameras as a deterrent to warn off any would-be offenders."

"Signs informing the public that body worn video equipment may be used within their communities will be prominently displayed and officers wearing the kit will also wear an identification armband."