Anti-social behaviour caught on camera

In a bid to deter anti-social behaviour, Northamptonshire Police are trialling a new “officer mounted” camera system.

The small light-weight camera is head-mounted with the recording pack attached to the officer’s belt. The system can record any incidents of juvenile nuisance that may take place. The two cameras that are currently in use have been funded by Northampton Community Safety Partnership, as part of the Together Campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Police have been using conventional video cameras to gather evidence of anti-social behaviour for some time but the new ‘headcams’ have the advantage of leaving officers’ hands free and their vision unrestricted so that they can continue with their normal duties while fitted with the camera.

Inspector Lloyd Tobin of the North East Sector said incidents caught on camera can be shown to those responsible to bring home to them the impact of their actions. It will also be used to show parents the kind of anti-social incidents their children have been involved in. “I think these cameras will be useful in many different situations because they are so portable and because they leave the officer operating them free to carry out their normal duties.”

Bill Edwards, manager of the Northampton Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are committed to addressing anti-social behaviour problems and this is reflected in the range of innovative and progressive schemes we are engaged in. We hope these cameras will assist us but most importantly those people plagued by anti-social behaviour.” The trial will last for up to three months.