Britain to arm bobbies with helmet cams

Globe and mail RAPHAEL G. SATTER Associated Press

LONDON — Britain is taking its surveillance to a new level, strapping video cameras to the helmets of its famed bobbies — a move the government says will cut down on paperwork and help prosecute criminals. By providing dramatic footage of victims, suspects and witnesses, judges and jurors will be able to “see and hear the incident through the eyes and ears of the officer at the scene,” Minister of State for Security Tony McNulty said. The Home Office said it was allocating $6-million to fund the devices for Britain's 42 police forces — enough to buy more than 2,000 cameras.