POLICE in Avon and Somerset will soon be equipped with innovative body cameras when working in the field.

Front line police officers and PCSOs will begin using the technology from the end of the year with an initial 2,300 cameras from supplier Reveal Media, who already supply to more than 20 other forces in the country.

The technology, which will be worn by officers as part of their uniform, will be distributed in a phased approach to front line policing, and will eventually see additional body worn video cameras will be used by other roles within the force in the future.

Enabling the production quality digital evidence capture which will assist the criminal justice process, the cameras will also provide an additional level of protection for officers and increase the transparency of their work.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, police forces have a duty to inform a person that their actions are being recorded on body worn cameras for evidence purposes and officers will be obliged to clearly state when they are recording an individual.

Avon and Somerset chief constable Andy Marsh, who is also the national police lead for body worn video, said: “When an officer wears a camera, the evidence captured is often much higher quality. I have seen earlier admissions and quicker pleas, together with better informed sentences and sanctions from courts.

“I want to equip my officers and PCSO’s so they can provide a high quality service to the public that is open and transparent, and keeps them safe. I believe that body worn video cameras will help us deliver this as well as helping to professionalise the service we offer. 

“A picture paints a thousand words and this is a further step in using digitalisation to transform policing and the criminal justice service for the better.”

Police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “It’s important that the officers and PCSOs have the right technology to do their job, serving local people as effectively and efficiently as possible.

“The new technology will transform the way the police work, achieve better outcomes and create fewer complaints. 

“Supporting the police in being open and transparent, the devices will help give a complete tale of events, for example when recording stop and searches or domestic abuse incidents.

“These body worn cameras will also make a real difference in giving local people more confidence in their policing service.”

Alasdair Field, CEO of Reveal Media, said: “It is a great honour to be partnering with Avon and Somerset as they become the latest UK force to roll out personally issued body cameras and evidence management software.

“We firmly believe that innovation is crucial to successful 21st Century policing, and we are committed to working together in this endeavour.

"It is particularly rewarding to be partnering with Avon and Somerset as I’m a Somerset boy, however we are always very proud to support our police forces and provide them with a technology that transforms their jobs. We look forward to seeing the many positive outcomes that this roll out will bring.”