Helmet cams target violent crime

Police have released video footage from helmet cameras that have increased arrests for violent crime by 85 per cent in one area.

Violent crime has also fallen by eight per cent and other violent crime (wounding) is down by 18 per cent within the areas of Plymouth where the technology is being trialled.

Results from the first 10 weeks of the scheme also show a 40 per cent increase in the number of crimes being detected and a 20 per cent increase in converting a violent incident into an official crime when an officer is wearing a head-mounted camera.

Morris Watts, chief superintendent and commander at Plymouth police force, said even at such an early stage the figures show how significant head cameras have been in reducing violent crime in the city.

The small colour camera is attached to the side of an officer's helmet, and records audio and video footage to document what they are seeing and what is going on at the scene of an incident.

Around 250 police officers in Plymouth are wearing the cameras as part of the tech evaluation and to assess how such cameras can be used in wider areas of policing. The six-month trial is due to finish in March this year.

A London police unit is also using small helmet-mounted digital cameras to snap anti-social behaviour. Separately, automated number-plate recognition is being used to identify stolen vehicles.