Body Worn Video (BWV) cameras will be worn by more than 500 frontline police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in Tower Hamlets to speed up the justice process for victims of crime and make policing more transparent.
The initiative is will be issued to all 32 London boroughs and a number of frontline specialist roles, including firearms officers, over the coming months.
The cameras are attached to police officers’ uniforms and are used to provide factual evidence of the way investigations are handled.
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets said:
“I am pleased to see the police are introducing body worn cameras in our borough. The cameras will help increase transparency and confidence in the police as they have with our council Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers who already use them.
“We are committed to working closely with the police to improve community safety and the new cameras will help to capture the crucial evidence necessary to bring criminals to justice.”
Chief Superintendent Sue Williams, Borough commander for Tower Hamlets, added:
“I am convinced BWV will enhance our effectiveness in dealing with incidents and protecting the integrity of investigations. We see this as a vital tool in our efforts to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Tower Hamlets and to make this a safer place. Ultimately this will increase confidence in policing.”
In total, 22,000 cameras will be given to police officers in London by the summer 2017.
Members of the public are told as soon as practical if they are being recorded. When the camera is recording, it is highly visible with a flashing red circle in the centre of the camera and a frequent beeping noise when it’s activated.
All footage recorded is subject to legal safeguards and guidance. Video that is not used as evidence or for a policing purpose is automatically deleted within 31 days.
If residents want to see footage taken of them they can request, in writing, to obtain it under freedom of information and data protection laws within 31 days of the incident.
– Press realise