Telford police officers get body-cams with rest of Shropshire to follow - with video

The new camera gear was recently launched by West Mercia Police at a cost of £1 million after the police and crime commissioner John Campion arranged for the funds to invest in the technology.

The body cameras, which are being worn on officers' vests in Telford, before being rolled out to Shropshire, have already been trialled in south Worcestershire and have now been given to 240 frontline police officers and staff in Telford and Wrekin.

They have been shown to reduce complaints against police officers, prevent crimes and provide clear evidence of incidents when required.

A pool of resources will also be made available to special constables and other staff who may be required to attend incidents.

Superintendent Tom Harding, the man in charge of policing in Telford, said he hoped the equipment would help the public feel safer and more secure.

He said: "It's a fantastic piece of kit which will provide a better service to the public.

"I think the officers appreciate the technology and the public expect us to be up to date with technology.

"I think the public will be reassured by the fact the police have got it.

"It can be used when police go to incidents of potential disorder.

"The footage is of high quality and can provide a greater level of evidence to support prosecutions.

"It will potentially mean people plead guilty earlier on which can save court time.

"It could avoid disputes if people are shown that the whole incident has been caught on video."

He said CCTV footage often showed a wide view of incidents but the body-worn video cameras will capture footage revealing what police officers have seen on the ground.

Supt Harding added: "We deal with some serious and upsetting crime scenes from domestic violence to serious offences.

"This will provide excellent evidence as to what the scene looks like."

Officers tap the gear twice to start recording and will tell people when they are being filmed.

A button on the side of the equipment gives them chance to bookmark important incidents to make them easier to find when the footage is uploaded.

The equipment has the ability to record for hours at a time and is uploaded to the police system when placed on a docking station.

Video and audio footage which may be used as evidence in court hearings can be stored for up to six years.

The equipment will eventually be made available to 2,200 police officers when it is rolled out further across Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police by the end of the year.

The introduction of the new technology represents an investment of £2.5 million over the next three years.

Specialist officers, such as those in who operate in the force's firearms unit, will use a body worn video device and an additional camera which attaches to their headwear.

Pc Andy Worrall is one of the police officers in Telford now using the gear.

He said: "It's good. Nowadays you get people taking out their mobile phones and filming you.

"It will be good to tell them I'm also recording you. For evidence purposes it's going to be great."

The body-cams will help resolve complaints more efficiently, police bosses said.

West Mercia Police had been among a number of forces that previously did not use body cameras routinely despite some frontline officers being armed with tasers.

Ex-Footballer and Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson died, aged 48, after being hit with a police taser in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford last August during a confrontation with officers.

Since then there have been calls for the cameras to be given to officers on the beat in all forces so to provide a consistent approach nationwide.

Body-worn video cameras have already been adopted by The Metropolitan Police Service.

In areas across the country where it has already been introduced this has led to a reduction in complaints against the police.

In some areas where they have been commissioned, the number of complaints has fallen from between 50 and 90 per cent.

About 500 complaints are received each year by West Mercia Police and it is hoped that video evidence will lead to a reduction.

Superintendent Tom Harding, of West Mercia Police, said when complaints are made the video cameras will allow an officer’s conduct to be reviewed quickly.

He said: “We do have complaints against police officers from time to time and we would hope this will allow us to deal with complaints very quickly.

“Hopefully it will also act to reduce assaults on officers.

“When they know they are being filmed they might think twice.

“It will help protect officers.

“In areas where it has been used there has been a reduction in assaults on officers and in complaints.”

Chief Constable of the force, Anthony Bangham, said video also captured events in a way that cannot be represented in written statements.

He said: “Footage helps to show the real impact a crime can have on victims, and helps to ensure total transparency in police actions, and in a suspect’s behaviour.

“From the experience of other forces, we expect video evidence to help us resolve complaints quickly and fairly, and further improve public confidence in local policing.

“Although video evidence doesn’t replace conventional ways of gathering evidence, it provides us with high quality evidence to share with colleagues and our partners to give us the best chance to secure a conviction in court.”

John Campion, West Mercia’s police and crime commissioner, had campaigned for the technology and said it was an “essential tool”.

He said: “I promised that I would invest in a modern, forward thinking police force that makes the best use of technology in order to provide an efficient and effective service.

“One of the ways I am delivering this is through the roll-out of body worn video.

“This technology provides a higher quality of service for victims with high quality evidence which increases the chance of conviction.

“The increased transparency which the video provides helps to reassure the public, giving our communities greater confidence in the police service.

“Following the successful implementation in Malvern, I’m pleased to see the technology now in use in Telford.

“I look forward to seeing it playing a big part in my vision for a reformed, reassured and safer West Mercia.”

The death of retired footballer Dalian Atkinson is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Meanwhile two police officers with West Mercia force have been suspended pending a criminal investigation by the IPCC.

Both officers have also been served with gross misconduct notices.

More than 130 people also joined a Justice for Dalian Atkinson march held in Telford following his death.