Body worn cameras are visible cameras that officers wear attached to their chest to capture video and audio evidence when attending all types of incidents.
These cameras are used by police officers to support prosecutions and assist the police in protecting their local communities. They are intended to provide better standards of evidence and an accurate record of street encounters (for example, when using stop and search powers), as well as encouraging increased professionalism within the frontline.
They can be used at the scene of a crime to gather video evidence and obtain first accounts from people present, including victims, which can be useful later in collaborating statements. The footage obtained via these cameras can therefore assist in resolving cases more quickly.
Body-worn cameras are also issued to National Highways traffic officers for similar purposes as those outlined above.
