Special cameras for town officers
Police officers in Stafford are to take to the streets in wireless body-worn video cameras.
The move by Staffordshire Police is part of Operation Safer Nights and it is hoped the high-tech equipment will help stamp out town centre alcohol-fuelled violence.
The cameras are being used across the Chase division by officers patrolling the streets of Stafford, Stone, Cannock and Rugeley.
They are intended as a visible deterrent to the small minority of individuals considering acting in a disorderly or anti-social manner.
Staffordshire Police said the new technology would allow officers to download in the station, footage taken in the towns in just a matter of minutes.
This can then be used and played to magistrates so they can witness first-hand the circumstances involved in any incident.
The new cameras which are clearly visible on the front of officers uniforms, take just moments to activate by the wearer. Chase division will have 20 body-worn cameras in operation over the new year, with further systems being purchased early in January 2010.
Chief Inspector Carl Ratcliffe said the hi-tech cameras would serve as a warning to any potential trouble-makers. "Our focus under Operation Safer Nights, is to keep our town centres even safer and free from incidents of alcohol-related violence."
