Head camera tackles crowd trouble

The camera leaves the officer's hands free

A high-tech camera attached to a police officer's head is being used for the first time by officers handling crowds at North West railway stations.

The camera records images as the officer sees them.

British Transport Police are using it over the Bank Holiday weekend because of the high number of travellers expected on the rail network.

It is being used to combat football hooligans in particular as well as policing music festival goers.

Night-time vision

Events taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend in the region include football matches, the Creamfields Festival, Manchester Pride and the Mathew Street Festival in Liverpool.

The camera is said to be especially effective for dealing for with large crowds and can record in the dark.

Supt Graham Bamford, from British Transport Police, said: "The new head-camera is yet another excellent tool at our disposal which will be particularly impactive when policing large crowds especially those travelling to and from football matches.

"If people know we are watching and recording them they will hopefully think twice about their behaviour."