POLICE cars are to be fitted with "black box" data recorders to provide experts with vital statistics in the event of a crash.

All new police cars bought by West Mercia police will be fitted with the recording equipment which notes the vehicle's movement, speed and braking.

The system also records whether emergency equipment - such as lights and sirens - has been activated, which could provide vital information if a police car is involved in a crash and the case goes to court.

Chief Supt Howard Topping, head of traffic and operations at West Mercia police, welcomed the introduction of the equipment to the force's 600 police cars.

"Forces that have introduced incident data recorders or "black boxes" into their fleet have recorded significant reductions in police vehicle collisions and saved repair and insurance costs as a result," said Chief Supt Topping.

"The system also benefits police officers as independent data can verify their version of events surrounding an incident in a collision, protecting them from malicious allegations.

"The driver or passenger in the vehicle can activate recording by pressing a button inside the vehicle."

The data recorder systems, which will be introduced over a five year period, will cost around £360,000.

A further £12,000 will be spent on specialist laptops which will download the information.