Bobbies to get more body worn cameras

The cameras follow other initiatives by the county’s police force to increase effectiveness and efficiency through technology.

Many frontline officers are now equipped with digital notebooks, meaning routine tasks can be done in the field rather than back at the station, helping to keep officers out in the communities.

Head of Continuous Improvement, Supt Jim Lunn said: “The cameras are extremely useful since they mean evidence can be collected quickly and in a completely transparent way. It is good news for the public, good news for officer safety and bad news for those who act in a criminal way.

“Other forces using this technology have found that the cameras have contributed towards early pleas from offenders, a reduction in challenges to police evidence in court, a reduction in the number of complaints against police and they have had a positive impact upon domestic violence prosecutions.”

The cameras were first introduced after trials in 2013. Justice4Leon have been campaigning for the cameras following the death of Luton man Leon Briggs while in police detention in November 2013.

Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins welcomed the initiative adding: “The wider deployment of these body-worn cameras represents another step forward by the force to use technology to enhance its ability to protect people and fight crime.

“More importantly it will help to secure successful prosecutions against those perpetrators of crime who pose a threat to the communities of Bedfordshire.”