Video
The National Pilot
The Pilot took place between October 2006 and April 2007, primarily within the South and Central Sectors of Plymouth BCU which encompasses the business, evening and night time economy districts of Plymouth with limited residential areas. 50 cameras were purchased and 300+ Police officers and Police Community Support officers (PCSOs) were trained and a specialised processing facility (Back Office Facility - BOF) was set up to administer the evidential footage.
The focus of the Pilot was on violence related incidents, including alcohol related violence, violence in public places and domestic violence. The trial covered the 2007 Christmas period with the associated increase in alcohol related incidents. There was also the potential to capture other crimes and any secondary crimes.
The relevant laptops and computer equipment were provided to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Magistrates and Crown Courts by the Project Team, in order that the Head Camera footage could be viewed when required i.e. in preparation of the case or within the court itself.
The Pilot itself was funded by Plymouth BCU in conjunction with local partners, the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF), Government Office South West (GOSW) and the Police Authority
Final assessment of the pilot
An independent evaluation was commissioned by the Home Office to identify issues and quantify benefits that the Head Cameras offered in terms of specific evaluation criteria including officer time saved and proportion of offenders brought to justice.
The Final Report provided an evaluation of the technology, the process and resultant benefits based upon the Pilot period.
The Headline findings were as follows:
- Violent crime reduced slightly in the Pilot sectors. Within this reduction, wounding reduced considerably by 12.8%
- Complaints against Police reduced by 14.3% and significantly no complaints against officers wearing Head Cameras
- Reduction of 22.4% in officer time spent on paperwork and file preparation
- Increase of 9.2% of officer time spent on mobile and foot patrol (which equates to 50 minutes of a 9 hour shift
- 90% of victims surveyed were positive about the use of Head Cameras by Police
The purpose of the Pilot was to prove or disprove the concept that this technology could be used in the policing arena. The findings within the Final Assessment Report suggested that the concept had been proven. The use of the technology did prove to be of great benefit and offered very good evidence that could not be disputed as it showed the alleged offender’s behaviour at the scene of an incident. One particular incident resulted in the conviction of a female for domestic assault and assault on Police and only took 17 days from arrest to conviction.
As a result of the National Pilot, the Home Office published the National Manual of Guidance for the Police Use of Body Worn Video Devices (see below)
National guidance for the police use of body worn video devices
As a result of the National Pilot conducted by the Plymouth Head Camera Project and its findings, the Home Office Guidance for the Police Use of Body Worn Video Devices was published in July 2007. An official launch of the Guidance took place in Plymouth on 12th July 2007 which was jointly hosted by the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary and the Home Office. The Final Assessment Report is contained within this Guidance as an appendix and provides full details of the findings of the Pilot. A link to the relevant website can be found on the “LINKS” page of this site.
The Guidance should be read in conjunction with the ACPO and Home Office Digital Imaging Procedure (DIP) (2002) and the forthcoming ACPO Practice Advice on Police Use of Digital Images.