Body-worn video helps cut crime in North Wales
More than 70 VEEcam body-worn video (BWV) systems have been deployed to
frontline officers in North Wales and have led to a drastic reduction
in crime.
More than 70 VEEcam body-worn video (BWV) systems have been deployed to frontline officers in North Wales and have led to a drastic reduction in crime.
Kevin Clark, who heads up the North Wales Police imaging unit, said: These BWV cameras can have a significant impact by providing officers with evidence that can be used in court to bring about successful prosecutions.
The cameras are also a useful tool to prevent crime in the first place. If the public are aware that our officers have the ability to film while out on patrol, it will make people think twice before getting involved in criminal behaviour.
British Transport Police (BTP) has been using VEEcams at high-profile football matches, including the Carling Cup Final at Wembley. They have also been used in policing fans travelling to Premier League matches and to fixtures with a history of rivalry between supporters.
BTPs Football Crime Unit says the cameras have been a useful aid to officers monitoring movements of supporters travelling to and from matches and for gathering evidence of any incidents which can assist successful prosecutions.
The Scottish area of BTP has also been experimenting with different models of video cameras and Detective Constable Ian Banyard, technical support unit representative, said: BWV cameras are excellent in situations where it is difficult for officers to carry hand-held video cameras and for operating in some of our more confined spaces, such as on the Glasgow subway.
The then governments £3 million funding in 2007 for a national rollout of video camera technology followed an independent evaluation of a pilot project in Plymouth by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.
It is generally agreed that the use of BWV cameras has the potential to improve significantly the quality of evidence provided by police officers. Results have shown that individuals under arrest have been more likely to plead guilty at an early stage in the justice process when confronted with the clear recorded evidence of their actions.
The VEEcam system from Persides is waterproof, shock-proof and resistant to both high and low temperatures, and is able to produce good quality video and still photographs.