Body Cameras For Lowestoft Door Staff Date: Monday, August 23, 2010 Source: EDP 24

Three new body cam devices - small shoulder/chest mounted cameras - have been purchased and will be used by a number of venues which are part of the town's Nightsafe scheme. The cameras will be used on a rotating basis by door staff at clubs and pubs on the seafront, in Lowestoft High Street and in Oulton Broad, and police say they are already proving useful. They allow door staff to capture images if there are any disputes or altercations inside or outside venues and the footage can be used to assist any police investigation and in any court case. The body cams record both audio and visual footage and are collected by police at the end of the night shift ready for the next use. The move follows on from police head cams, which are worn by police officers on public order patrols or when attending incidents, and were introduced in the town earlier this year. In April the Journal reported that head cams had been bought for use in Lowestoft after a successful pilot scheme in west Suffolk. Lowestoft safer neighbourhood team (SNT) Inspector Sarsfield Donohue said the body cameras would support work already done by the police, Waveney District Council and licensees to deal with alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour. “We want to ensure that residents and visitors to Lowestoft can enjoy a safe night out and these cameras are predominantly there to provide an additional layer of security and a deterrent to those who would act in a violent or abusive manner,” he said. “Those who do cause problems need to be aware their actions will be recorded and may be used in a prosecution against them.” Insp Donohue added: “These cameras will hopefully act as a deterrent. If they don't and people go on to act in a violent or disorderly manner their actions will be recorded on camera and used as part of the investigation. If people are charged with an offence that evidence will be played in court.” He said it was only a “stupid minority” who cause problems. “Hopefully these cameras will deter them,” he said. The cameras cost about £1,600 which came from Suffolk Police Authority's Partnership Fund - part of the authority's budget that is shared between the county's seven districts to fund community projects and engagement activities that support SNT priorities. The funded project is a joint initiative between the SNT and members of the Nightsafe scheme, including licensees and Waveney District Council. EDP24 Courtesy of SecurityOracle.com - The Secury Industry's Portal