POLICE officers in the two counties could soon have crime in focus, thanks to head cameras which record a criminal's every move.

The cameras, which cost £1,800 each, are the size of an AA battery and are fitted to the side of a police officer's head.

A scheme will be piloted in Hereford this year, although the date and cost of the trial have yet to be confirmed by the police.

If the pilot is successful, the cameras could become a permanent weapon in the arsenal of police officers across the West Mercia force's area, including Worcestershire.

The cameras can record up to 400 hours of footage and produce high-quality, digital images which are stored in a utility belt and can be used as evidence in court. They are attached to a headband that sits above the ear.

A spokesman for Hereford police said the cameras would probably be rolling before the end of the year.

He said: "We're looking to bring a number of head cams to the division but they're not here yet. We are piloting it for the West Mercia area here in Hereford. It could be used for operations such as Operation Christmas Presence, our Christmas anti-social behaviour and drink-related disorder campaign. Part of the thinking is that we can get evidence that we can rely upon in court and use the cameras as a deterrent.

"The head cams have been used elsewhere but we would be the first area in the West Midlands."

The head-mounted cameras were originally tested by Devon and Cornwall police.

The Devon and Cornwall force reported an eight per cent reduction in violent crime and an 18 per cent reduction in wounding offences in the first 10 weeks of using cameras.

In March last year, footage from a head camera was used as evidence to successfully convict a woman of six counts of assault, including four on police officers.

The cameras were used in more than 1,400 incidents during the six-month Westcountry test and 300 officers were trained in how to use them on the beat.

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