Police in Wokingham Local Policing Area (LPA) have been making use of body worn cameras against criminal and anti-social behaviour.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with possession and supply of class A drugs following evidence gathered using the body worn video. A drugs warrant was executed at his address. He was bailed until 11 December, when he was charged. He appeared at Reading Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to supply and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He is awaiting a court date for sentencing.
PC Leigh Matthews, neighbourhood officer for Earley said: “This case demonstrates the real value of body worn video – the video evidence we presented to the Crown Prosecution Service was compelling and played a significant part in their decision to charge Sunderland.
“It is an excellent result for the Earley neighbourhood team.”
Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from all of the neighbourhood policing teams in Wokingham LPA have been trained to use the cameras, which have been in operation in the area since October last year.
PC Matthews added: “We use the body worn camera equipment for many different types of incident.
“I wear one on shift all the time and start recording when I need to. It’s so easy and can save a lot of time.
“I have used it for public order offences, stop and search, domestic abuse incidents, anti-social behaviour, and we now use it for every house search we carry out.
“It is also a great tool to use to record youths acting in an anti-social behaviour. We can record them and go straight to show their parents the evidence, which is often enough to stop the behaviour reoccurring.”
