Cameras on the beat in North Lanarkshire

Strathclyde Police officers involved in the Safer North Lanarkshire campaign are using new technology in the fight against disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Patrol officers throughout Lanarkshire have been issued with digital video cameras which record both images and sound.

It follows funding from the North Lanarkshire Partnership in a bid to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

Officers can film events while their colleagues are dealing with the incident. This footage can then be utilised in a number of beneficial ways, such as a reduction in anti-social behaviour or disorder, whilst promoting public reassurance.

Chief Superintendent Anne McGuire, divisional commander for North Lanarkshire, is confident that they are already having an impact across the area.

She said: “The digital video cameras are an additional tool for officers on patrol as we look to provide public reassurance and disrupt street disorder.

“Previously, officers would have witnessed incidents of anti-social behaviour but invariably offenders ran off on seeing the police. These cameras will now help us to capture images and better descriptions of those involved, enabling us to catch more offenders and back up witness statements with better evidence.

“We see them being even more useful as a deterrent and we will ensure that officers are using them in areas identified by the public as hotspots.

“There is no doubt that this will assist us in dealing with gang activity, disorder and other anti-social behaviour.”

Officers will work in teams to enable them to use the camera while dealing with incidents. Strathclyde Police already uses camcorders at large-scale events such as football matches.