ALL police officers in Cheshire will have body worn video cameras by the end of the year.

Police and crime commissioner David Keane has agreed to fund the equipment.

It will cost £787,000 in total to allow all front-line officers to have access to a camera while on shift.

A budget of £400,000 had previously been approved for the first cameras that were purchased.

A further £387,000 has recently been sanctioned by the commissioner to support the front-line roll-out.

It follows the roll-out of the kit to firearms officers last year and Taser officers and football spotters earlier this month.

Mr Keane said: “Body worn video is an invaluable addition to our officers’ kit and will improve the effectiveness of policing in Cheshire, helping us to provide a force fit for the future.

“We’ve already seen the benefits of the technology since it was introduced to firearms officers last year, and I’m pleased to fund the roll-out of the equipment for the entire force.

“The kit provides better protection for officers and an increased chance of prosecution for offenders with assaults on police officers and other people evidenced on camera.

“I also believe that the cameras will help to deter some crime and modify the behaviours of those being filmed, saving a great deal of time and money for both Cheshire Constabulary and the courts.”

The kit will be made available to local police units, detectives and PCSOs who have completed training on how to operate the devices.

Officers will dock the device when they return to the station from their shift in a safe and secure manner and the footage will be automatically stored on the force’s central records.

Superintendent Luke McDonnell, who is leading the roll-out, said“This is an important step forward to give officers kit that will support them in their role.

“Body worn video significantly improves the opportunity for officers to gather good evidence, while feedback from other forces shows that their use promotes public reassurance, modifies people’s behaviour, prevents harm and often deters people from committing crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The high definition recordings from the video provide independent evidence that can improve the quality of prosecution material.”

The roll-out links to the commissioner’s police and crime plan objective to invest in technology and equipment that supports officers in our communities.