Police Scotland starts roll out of body-worn cameras for officers
The units were rolled out across England and Wales after being first trialled in Plymouth in 2006.The force said the Motorola Solutions VB400 cameras will provide extra protection for officers and the public by recording evidence which can be used in court.
By autumn 2026, all frontline uniformed police officers will be expected to wear a video camera on their uniform while on duty. They will have to activate it when using police powers, including while arresting a suspect or executing a search warrant.The cameras will be introduced to the Highlands and Islands and north east in summer before they are rolled out in the east of the country in autumn.Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said the cameras would increase public confidence in the police and deliver safety benefits "by providing effective and transparent evidence of police and public interactions."She added: "The technology will also improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims by increasing early guilty pleas and reducing time spent at court for victims, witnesses and police officers."There is strong public and partner support for body-worn video in Scotland and we will continue to explain our use of this important technology including assurance around data privacy and human rights considerations."
David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation which represents rank and file officers, said the roll-out was an "extremely positive" move."It has been an absolute priority for Police Scotland," he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme. "There have been delays with procurement but we're really focusing on the positive elements here and the benefits that will be achieved."Mr Threadgold said the move would change how the police and the public interact by improving transparency and accountability.He said: "The public will see officers with a body-worn video unit attached to their body armour and there will be a message on the front that explains that it is a body-worn video camera. "If the officer needs to switch it on, there will be a light that comes on and a short script will be read, if it's possible at the time, to make whoever is involved aware that they are now being recorded. "That will have a number of really positive impacts on the ways that we can interact with the police."Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: "I am very pleased that the Scottish government's record investment in Police Scotland is continuing to support the national roll out of body-worn video for officers and staff."Body-worn video can increase public confidence in policing and improve safety for police officers and staff. "It can also benefit victims and witnesses of crime by allowing cases to be brought to court sooner."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
14 minutes ago
- The National
Tommy Robinson arrested over alleged assault at St Pancras station
Footage shared on social media last Monday appeared to show Robinson pacing around the London station with another person lying still on the floor nearby. FAR-RIGHT agitator Tommy Robinson has been arrested at Luton Airport after a video emerged which showed him walking away from the scene of an alleged assault at St Pancras railway station. The 42-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was then seen walking down a flight of stairs. READ MORE: History made as Scottish rocket firm hits 'major milestone' with launch licence On Monday, British Transport Police (BTP) said: 'Officers from BTP have tonight arrested a 42-year-old man from Bedfordshire in connection to an assault at St Pancras station in London on July 28. 'The arrest took place at Luton Airport shortly after 6.30pm, following a notification that the man had boarded an incoming flight from Faro. 'The man had been wanted for questioning after leaving the country to Tenerife in the early hours of July 29 following the incident at St Pancras. 'He was arrested on suspicion of GBH (grievous bodily harm) and will now be taken to custody for questioning.' The victim was taken to hospital with what police described as serious injuries and he was discharged last Wednesday.
STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
'Overstretched' police force hit with £31.5m overtime bill
The overtime bill for Scotland's police officers and staff has climbed above an average of £85,000 per day, amid warnings of a 'chronically overstretched' force. A fall in rank-and-file numbers and a rise in police responsibilities have been blamed for the huge costs. New figures published in 1919 Magazine on Tuesday show that £28.15m was spent on overtime for officers in 2024/25, plus an additional £3.4m for police staff – a combined 10% rise on the previous year. Although this is down on 2022/23, when there was a major policing operation following the death of the Queen, there are concerns about the bill for the current year given the demands of President Donald Trump's recent visit to Scotland and forthcoming events like the sold-out Oasis reunion shows at Murrayfield Stadium. Police Scotland has praised officers and described the nature of policing as 'unpredictable', with overtime a 'flexible mechanism' used by the force. But the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) warned that the costs are a 'direct consequence' of the 'chronic shortage of police officers across the country'. SPF general secretary David Kennedy said: 'As demand on policing continues to increase – whether through major events, public safety operations, or everyday calls for service – there simply are not enough officers to meet the workload within normal working hours. 'The reality is that overtime is no longer a contingency – it has become a necessity to maintain even the most basic levels of public safety. This is unsustainable, both financially and in terms of officer wellbeing. 'Officers are regularly being asked to sacrifice their rest days, family time, and personal health to plug gaps caused by years of underinvestment in policing. 'We cannot continue to rely on a shrinking workforce to deliver a growing remit. 'The rising cost of overtime is not a budget management issue – it is a symptom of a wider crisis in police numbers that must be addressed urgently through meaningful investment in recruitment, retention, and support for serving officers.' STV News President Donald Trump's recent visit to Scotland is likely to see police overtime bill soar even further over 2025/2026 The data, obtained by 1919 through a freedom of information request, shows that £42,689,162 was spent on officers' overtime in 2022/23 – the year the Queen died – falling to £25,305,080 a year later and rising again to £28,150,447 in the most recent financial year. On top of that, overtime paid to police staff totalled £11.24m over the three-year period, with the figures broadly similar in 2023/24 and 2024/25. Periods of sickness, maternity leave, and annual leave are not included. Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill told 1919: 'These eyewatering figures lay bare the immense pressure Police Scotland is under. 'Police officer numbers have collapsed over recent years and big events have piled pressure onto remaining officers. 'There is no evidence that the Scottish Government is taking any serious steps to address this, therefore this is likely to continue. 'Increasing reliance on overtime is costing Police Scotland thousands of pounds a day and exhausting police officers. 'Police officers cannot keep being forced to go above and beyond to paper over the cracks of SNP failure – the SNP must work with Police Scotland to ensure it has the officers it needs to keep our communities safe.' iStock A fall in rank-and-file numbers and a rise in police responsibilities have been blamed for the huge costs. Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur added: 'SNP ministers pushed through the creation of a single national force with the promise of significant cost savings which could be invested elsewhere in the service. 'Instead we have seen falling officer numbers, police counters closing and officers run ragged. 'The cases that officers are being called to attend are increasingly complex and time consuming. 'One solution we have proposed to provide mental health workers to work alongside the police and help people in need. 'Officers should not be asked to work beyond their limits day after day. 'After so many years of worsening conditions, it will be hard work for the Justice Secretary to win back trust and convince officers she is in their corner.' While recruitment and deployment are operational matters for the chief constable, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We are investing a record £1.64bn for policing this year, and our continued investment enabled Police Scotland to take on more recruits in the last financial year than at any time since 2013, with further intakes planned throughout 2025. 'Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales and recorded crime has fallen by more than half since 1991.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
Scottish space company celebrates 'huge milestone' as launch licence granted
A Scottish space company is celebrating a 'huge milestone' after it was granted a launch operator licence for one of its rockets. However, Skyrora is still searching for a pad to blast off from, with none available this year at least. The company, which has a factory in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, has been granted a launch licence for its suborbital rocket, Skylark. Later, the company hopes to use a much larger rocket called XL to deliver satellites into orbit. The licence enables Skyrora to launch from the UK's licensed 'vertical launch' spaceport: SaxaVord on the northernmost point of the Shetland Islands. But currently there are no pads free at the site. Volodymyr Levykin spoke to the PA news agency just before the launch licence was announced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). He said Skylark, a single-stage rocket measuring almost 12 metres long, would go 'up and down' when it launches – taking a 50 kilo payload to an altitude of about 500 kilometres (310 miles). If successful, this will mean it crosses the boundary into space but it will not deliver a satellite into orbit. Mr Levykin said of the licence: 'This is a huge milestone for us because at least half of the work, maybe 70% has been done. Looking forward to actually launching. 'The whole application was based on SaxaVord in Shetland Isles as a launch location, however, there are some room for adjustments and flexibility.' Mr Levykin said SaxaVord 'is not available any more for us to launch, this year at least'. Earlier this year, another space company called Orbex announced it would move its launch operation to SaxaVord from the under-construction Sutherland Spaceport on Scotland's north coast. Mr Levykin said his company is now considering other options, including potentially using the Sutherland site vacated by Orbex. He said: 'At the moment we're trying to figure out – what is the legal structure, what is owned, what is not owned? 'What is the capacity of the current management, the jurisdiction? 'But you take this apart – practically, it's absolutely do-able because we have the mobile launch concept.' He said this would allow Skyrora to launch its rocket in a variety of locations around Europe with just a few days of preparation. In October 2022, the company attempted to launch Skylark from Iceland, but a software problem led to it falling into the sea just after lift-off. Ultimately, Skyrora wants to use its 23-metre XL rocket to launch about eight times a year, to capitalise on the burgeoning global demand for small satellite launches. They are aiming to do the initial test-firing of this rocket's first stage this year, though the location has not yet been revealed. It would involve nine engines firing at the same time. Rob Bishton, chief executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: 'Granting a home-grown company, Skyrora, its launch licence is a major milestone for our space sector and our nation. 'Our work as the UK's space regulator is enabling the burgeoning launch industry to safely grow, bringing new jobs and investment with it.' Richard Lochhead, the Scottish Government's business minister, said: 'Securing the UK's first launch operator licence is a landmark moment in Skyrora's plans to become the first company in the UK to build and launch a rocket into space.' UK aviation and space minister Mike Kane said: 'I am thrilled we've reached this important milestone in the UK space sector, and I congratulate Skyrora for being the first UK company to receive a rocket launch licence.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray added: 'This launch licence isn't just one giant leap for Skyrora – it's a massive boost to the whole of Scotland and the wider UK's space sector. 'Becoming the first British company to manufacture and send a rocket into space from the UK will be a hugely significant moment.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
