GUERNSEY police have a new weapon in the fight against crime – RoboCam. The force has launched a two-week trial of a device that could put more criminals behind bars and cut down on offences.

A small digital camera strapped to the side of the head records everything the officers see and stores it on a hard disc in a pouch under the arm.

Video images can then be downloaded at the station and potentially used as

evidence in court to help secure convictions.

Inspector Garry Fusellier, who is in charge of technical support, said filming incidents might also cut down on the amount of time officers spend on paperwork.

‘We wouldn’t have to make so many notes as all the footage would be recorded, so we could spend more time concentrating on actual police work,’ he said.

‘At the moment, an officer stands up and talks at a court hearing, whereas with this they can show the court the video, which strengthens the evidence.

‘It has been used to great effect already by some UK forces, especially in cases of domestic abuse. I know that some nightclub door staff are also wearing them because it’s so easy to then pass on the evidence to the police.’

The idea for the RoboCam trial came about after a visit to a police exhibition in Manchester.

The device costs £865 and is designed for law enforcement agencies.

The trial model is for daytime use only, but there are other versions available that feature night vision.

Recorded footage can be erased at the police station only, which avoids officers accidentally deleting crucial evidence.

Insp. Fusellier said he did not think the device posed a security risk, despite its high value.

‘I don’t think it makes the officer a target because it is well protected from thieves,’ he said.

‘That’s not to say that people will be filmed secretly, as officers have been trained to identify themselves as carrying the camera by saying, ﾓStop, you are being filmedﾔ.’

A decision will be made whether to purchase RoboCams for the Guernsey force after the test period.

The trial was greeted with enthusiasm by those islanders in favour of introducing more CCTV cameras.

Town Centre Partnership executive officer Deputy Jack Honeybill called it a ‘fantastic initiative’ and proof that police were ‘committed to developing cost-effective means of CCTV coverage’.