North Wales will become the first police force in Wales where all of its officers will wear body worn video equipment while on duty.
The announcement was made by newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, at his first meeting of the Police and Crime Panel today.
Body worn video, which captures evidence of crimes as they happen, was introduced in North Wales last year, with 120 kits being deployed across the region.
But Mr Jones announced that £163,000 will now be spent on buying an extra 301 devices, ensuring that all officers and police community support officers can use the crime-fighting technology while on duty.
Later this year, more devices will be also be bought for specialist officers like members of the firearms team.
Securing convictions
Mr Jones, who had promised the move in his pre-election pledge, said: “Body worn video improves evidence gathering and secures more convictions, especially in domestic violence cases. It also resolves complaints against the police because the evidence caught on camera is incontrovertible.
“Nationally, according to the College of Policing, the chance of a successful prosecution in domestic violence cases has risen from 72% to 81% if there is a body worn video footage in front of a jury.
“Body worn video is good for everybody except for the criminals. There is absolutely nothing to be concerned with in terms of you being filmed and if nothing untoward has happened the footage is wiped from the system in 30 days.
“It’s making North Wales a safer place because we’re getting increased early prosecutions, we’re protecting vulnerable people from domestic violence and other sorts of related violence
“It also means that vulnerable victims don’t have to go to go court to give evidence because the evidence is overwhelming from the body worn camera footage.”
Domestic violence
One area where the cameras have proved themselves particularly useful is in the aftermath of an incident of domestic violence where evidence of any injuries and damage can be gathered along with the behaviour and demeanour of the aggressor and the victim.
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Chief Superintendent Sacha Hatchett, who is in charge of Operational Support Services at North Wales Police, added: “The force is grateful to Mr Jones for recognising the value of body worn video and there will always be one available for a police officer or a PCSO when they’re on duty.
“In North Wales, we’ve had some recent examples where we’ve had early guilty pleas in court while the prosecution and the sanctions against the individual were much more substantial because the jury and the judge could actually see a visual representation of the scene of the crime.
“The feedback from the Crown Prosecution Service has been excellent and there is a belief that body worn video is making a real difference”.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-police-officers-wear-11531907
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