Essex officers issued with BWV cameras

Essex Police officers attending domestic abuse incidents are to be equipped with body-worn video (BWV) cameras.

The use of video cameras to record evidence by officers was first implemented in 2010, but was used inconsistently by different departments.

Reintroducing the technology has been one of the developments led by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh since he joined the force in May. He said: “Using these cameras will increase the evidence captured in domestic abuse investigations and helps support the force’s drive to have more successful prosecutions of offenders where victims are reluctant to give evidence in court.

“This technology will also assist our bid to place far more focus on the offender. Since July 1, we have focused on more than 100 repeat offenders, gathering greater intelligence about their offending and lifestyle and developing strategies to reduce their opportunity for re-offending.

“We are also working closely with local authorities and have developed joint domestic abuse triage teams (JDATTs). These units are based at Essex County Council and Southend and Thurrock unitary authorities.

“Police officers are based in these units with social care staff to share information where domestic abuse is a factor to safeguard children and victims.”

Essex police and crime commissioner Nick Alston added: “On average, there are 20 crimes of domestic violence recorded in Essex every single day.

“For complex and varied reasons, victims of domestic abuse are sometimes reluctant to give evidence against the person who has caused them harm.

Equipping officers attending domestic abuse incidents with body-worn cameras means that evidence will often be captured automatically and directly.

“I fully support using technology to help ensure that there is no hiding place for those who commit domestic abuse.”