Police officers in Portsmouth are utilising a new tool in the continuing fight against crime as they take to the streets with new body worn video devices (BWV).
The new kit has been rolled out across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight thanks to Government funding, allowing forces throughout the country to enhance their evidence gathering possibilities.
The kits are made up of a recorder, camera, switch and cabling, and the device itself is attached to officers’ body armour. The camera remains off until the officer turns it on to record, which may be done whenever they see fit, for example when attending an emergency call or making an arrest.
Portsmouth has a total of ten kits, and 20 officers are being trained to use them. The officers undergoing training are from various policing units throughout the city, and will use them when responding to incidents, attending football matches, or going out on the beat.
The kits were trialled in 2006 in Plymouth, and were deemed to be so successful the Government agreed to assist all forces in using the devices. Hampshire has been given £130,000, which funds the kits for officers across the whole force, as well a several specialised computers required to download, record and store the footage recorded on the cameras.
PC John Beaumont, who has managed the introduction of the BWVs in Portsmouth and carried out the necessary training, said, “The cameras are an excellent tool for officers to record the details of any situation they may be faced with. We are required to let the person concerned know that we are recording, and then the officer can just let the device run. The evidence we can gather on these cameras will help to convict criminals and deter potential criminals, or those carrying out anti social behaviour, which then has a knock on effect in making our communities safer. They are proven to be very successful elsewhere, which we are looking to replicate here in Portsmouth.”
