Police in Basildon town centre have become among the first officers in Essex to use headcams during routine patrols.The mini digital cameras, called Robocams, can capture evidence at the arrest of shoplifters, pickpockets, drunks and people involved in anti-social behaviour.
The camera, fitted with a high quality lens, is mounted on an officer’s helmet and can be activated by a simple push button to save crystal-clear images on to a mini video recorder attached to the officer’s belt.
Four camera kits, each costing £1,100 have been bought with funding from the operators of the Eastgate Centre and also Basildon Market. They will be used by officers from the town policing unit and by security staff at the Eastgate Centre.
Sgt Josie Hayes, of the town policing unit said: "The cameras will help us to ensure that offenders are brought to justice, because when the camera is filming there can be no argument as to what is said or done in connection with an offence. It will also, hopefully, give more security to officers on patrol and reduce the number of assaults on police because criminals will know that their actions are caught on film and they cannot dispute it."
Members of the unit came up with the idea of using the cams on a permanent basis and were delighted that Eastgate Centre and Basildon Market came forward to buy four cameras to help make the shopping area more secure and increase public confidence.
Chief Inspector Mark Wheeler, the Basildon district commander, said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working between the town policing unit, the Eastgate Centre and Basildon Market.
"The evidence captured by these cameras is of excellent quality which means we are unlikely to get protracted court cases, as criminals will be unable to dispute the evidence.
"Witnesses also won't have to face the heartache of giving evidence. It will also, hopefully, reassure people that cases caught on camera will get to court and be dealt with quickly."
The cameras were officially handed over to police at a special ceremony in the Eastgate Centre on Thursday, May 22.
Upper photo: Chief Inspector Mark Wheeler receives a Robocam kit from Hans Wustefeld, general manager of the Eastgate Centre. With them are Angela Smith, the Basildon and East Thurrock MP, members of the town policing unit and headcam users Pc Colin McCabe, Pc Simon Gray and Eastgate security officer Lee Riches.
Lower photo: Pcs Simon Gray (left) and Colin McCabe with their headcams
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