Body cameras vital to help 'stretched' police in Norfolk

All front-line police officers in Norfolk should have body cameras and more Tasers are needed to help a "stretched" force, says its staff body.

The Norfolk Police Federation (NPF) said cameras and Tasers enable officers to safely to patrol individually, rather than in pairs.

NPF chairman Paul Ridgway, said there was evidence that cameras cut the number of assaults on police.

He said due to police budget cuts officers were "stretched more thinly".

Norfolk Police said it would make a comment later.

Great Yarmouth Police tweeted that many officers would support a greater use of body cameras.

Mr Ridgway said: "There is growing evidence to suggest that when officers wear body cameras, the number of assaults on police officers drop, complaints against the police fall and early guilty pleas increase by offenders, especially at incidents involving drunkenness and violence.

"All of this saves money for the taxpayer and ensures a safer working environment for officers."

He said he hoped the government would fund the initiative, so they could be rolled out on a national level.

Over the weekend for example, officers were stretched by a number of serious road accidents, including one on the A47, he said.

At same time resources were being used to police an unlicensed music event in the Aldeby area.

He said: "The health and safety of officers is paramount. They must have the right equipment to face the current situations and to protect the public."

In June last year, Norfolk Chief Constable Simon Bailey announced 120 officer posts and the same number of PCSOs would go over the next four years in a bid to close a £20.3m funding gap.

In June this year, plans to equip all Met Police officers with cameras on their uniforms were announced by the Mayor of London.