Car cam joins fight against crime

SUFFOLK police today unveiled cars equipped with closed circuit television cameras as new crime-fighting tool.The silver vehicles, which are being introduced in all areas of the county, will used as an "extra pair of eyes" for officers in detecting and preventing criminal activity.

SUFFOLK police today unveiled cars equipped with closed circuit television cameras as new crime-fighting tool.

The silver vehicles, which are being introduced in all areas of the county, will used as an "extra pair of eyes" for officers in detecting and preventing criminal activity.

It is hoped they will provide reassurance to members of the community where there are issues relating to antisocial behaviour, public nuisance, violence in a public place and disorder.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cole said: "We hope the use of the cars will help towards reaching our goals."

The cameras used in cars operating in the Ipswich area have been entirely funded by the borough council. A second vehicle for the Babergh area has been paid for by the district's crime and disorder reduction partnership and the county council.

Dci Cole added the cameras, which will be at the front and rear of the vehicles, will provide a boost to evidence gathering.

He said: "In the past we may have gone out and been met with a barrage of verbal abuse, which is hard to reflect to a court in evidence form.

"With these cameras, we'll be able to relay to the courts exactly what we were met with on our attendance."