JUSTICE will be speeed up when Avon and Somerset Police officers start using body worn video cameras from the end of the year.

The force is taking possession of 2,300 cameras that will be given out to front-line officers and PCSOs on a phased basis.

Additional body worn video cameras will be used by other roles within the force in the future.

The visible cameras will be worn by officers as part of their uniform and will enable quality digital evidence capture that will assist the criminal justice process.

They will also provide an additional level of protection for officers and increase the transparency of their work.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, police forces have a duty to inform a person that their actions are being recorded on body worn cameras for evidence purposes and officers will be obliged to clearly state when they are recording an individual.

Somerset County Gazette:

Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Andy Marsh, national police lead for body worn video, said: “When an officer wears a camera, the evidence captured is often much higher quality.

"I have seen earlier admissions and quicker pleas, together with better informed sentences and sanctions from courts.

Somerset County Gazette: UNDER INVESTIGATION: Chief Con Andy Marsh

Chief Constable Andy Marsh.

“I want to equip my officers and PCSOs so they can provide a high quality service to the public that is open and transparent, and keeps them safe.

"I believe that body worn video cameras will help us deliver this as well as helping to professionalise the service we offer.

“A picture paints 1,000 words and this is a further step in using digitalisation to transform policing and the criminal justice service for the better.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “It’s important that the officers and PCSOs have the right technology to do their job, serving local people as effectively and efficiently as possible.

"The new technology will transform the way the police work, achieve better outcomes and create fewer complaints.

Somerset County Gazette:

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens.

“Supporting the police in being open and transparent, the devices will help give a complete tale of events, for example when recording stop and searches or domestic abuse incidents.

"These body worn cameras will also make a real difference in giving local people more confidence in their policing service.”

Somerset County Gazette:

Alasdair Field, chief executive of Reveal Media, which is supplying the cameras, said: “It is a great honour to be partnering with Avon and Somerset as they become the latest UK force to roll out personally issued body cameras and evidence management software.

"We firmly believe that innovation is crucial to successful 21st Century policing, and we are committed to working together in this endeavour.

"It is particularly rewarding to be partnering with Avon and Somerset as I’m a Somerset boy, however we are always very proud to support our police forces and provide them with a technology that transforms their jobs.

"We look forward to seeing the many positive outcomes that this roll out will bring.”

Reveal Media was chosen following a market review of suppliers followed by further evaluation and more extensive testing of two final suppliers.

Reveal Media already supplies over 20 police forces with the cameras.