Police will be wearing new video kit on their uniforms as part of a drive to gather better evidence.
Thames Valley Police, which polices LBO villages across the Aylesbury Vale, will issue 300 new Body Worn Video cameras (BWV) across the force.
The kit, supplied by Reveal Media is lighter, smaller and simple to use. The new cameras will also free up officers time as the software will allow images and footage to be downloaded quickly compared to the old system which downloaded footage and burned to DVD in ‘real-time’. Thames Valley say capturing the best possible evidence on film makes the chances of a successful prosecution and bringing offenders to justice.
Baljit Ubhey, of Thames Valley Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The benefits of the cameras are vast. They will discourage unruly behaviour during arrests, thereby protecting officers and the public, rule out issues of offender identification, and will provide indisputable evidence, which will assist the CPS when making charging decisions and prosecuting cases at court.”
Examples of when Body Worn Video will be worn:
- Policing the night time economy: Cameras can act as a visible deterrent and prevent crime happening but can assist with identifying offenders and offences.
- Domestic violence incidents: BWV allows a true and accurate reflection of the initial stages of the incident to be recorded e.g. injuries, suspect and victim demeanour, initial comments and behaviours. The footage can also act as prosecuting evidence at a later stage if the victim decides to withdraw their statement.
- Dealing more effectively with complaints against police officers: For example, conducting warrants or dealing with policing activities which could potentially lead to conflict or the use of force i.e. policing football matches or the night time economy.
- Dealing with incidents of anti-social behaviour: BWV can assist with capturing evidence in support of interventions to address anti social behaviour.
The cameras will primarily be used by response and neighbourhood policing officers, but the decision will be made by Local Policing Area Commanders to distribute the cameras to where they will be used most efficiently.