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Police camera action!
MORE police in Leeds look set to be sent onto the beat wearing specially designed "headcams".
Extra funding is being provided to equip cops with the hi-tech crime-busting devices.
The mini cameras, which fit under officers' helmets, allow police to work hands-free while at the same time filming vital evidence.
They were introduced last year in the Gipton area of Leeds but are now to be rolled out to another area of the city after receiving Leeds City Council funding.
The local authority's Outer West Area Committee agreed to provide 3,600 to fund the mini cameras for officers in Farnley.
The decision was taken after other authorities proved the cameras led to a reduction in crime and better quality of evidence.
Body-worn video systems allow police forces to tackle everyday issues related to storing and retrieving masses of vital video evidence.
It assists police officers in crime investigation and case preparation and has software fitted to interpret and store images.
One police officer involved in trials said: "This will enable officers to spend more time on the streets and less time on paperwork. The Head Camera project has the potential to revolutionise policing in the UK."
The cameras were first brought in to test in Britain in December 2005.
It takes just two hours to train officers to use them.
The device records an eye view of incidents straight onto a hard drive, which also provides instant playback on a small colour screen.
A high-quality microphone can also pick up conversations. The technology has been used to secure a criminal conviction.
Coun Andrew Carter, chairman of the Outer West Area Committee, said: "Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour is a priority, and we need to make sure the police are well equipped with the tools to meet that challenge.
"These headcams will allow officers to get on with the business of policing, and provide them with a vital advantage when trying to collect evidence. This could be crucial in cases where an accurate record of an incident is required."
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
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