Police, camera, action! is finally to become a reality with the Home Office go-ahead today for officers in forces across England and Wales to be issued with "helmet cams".

The mini digital cameras, strapped to the helmet headbands of patrolling police officers, are to be used to film rowdy late-night scenes, underage drinkers, controversial stop and search confrontations and domestic violence incidents.

The cameras can store up to 400 hours of footage with soundtrack on their hard drive, with a battery life of eight to 12 hours. The footage can be played back on a four-inch (10cm) screen attached to the officer's belt. Future versions may use a memory card or even live streaming technology to transmit the pictures to a nearby vehicle or communications centre.

The decision to adopt the helmet-cam technology follows small-scale trials in Plymouth by the Devon and Cornwall police, who used the head mounted video system to improve the quality of evidence provided by officers who attended domestic violence incidents.

A wider trial involving 300 trained officers using 50 cameras in as many operational situations as possible followed. It found the helmet cam had significant advantages over hand-held video systems as officers did not need the support of a minder to use the equipment, both hands remained free and their peripheral vision was not hindered when they used the camera.

The police minister, Tony McNulty, said the cameras could significantly improve the quality of evidence provided by police officers and increase the proportion of offenders brought to justice: "I am delighted to be able to announce £3m for the police service which will enable forces to make this valuable technology available to frontline police officers," he said.

The cash will initially enable each force to buy eight camera units at £1,700 each. But the police have been warned by the Home Office that they are expensive, and forces should not create the expectation that all officers will be able to have video equipment with them at all times.

Guidance published today on the use of helmet cams warns officers not to use them if a member of the public simply approaches them to ask a question, and it will be regarded as good practice to say if the camera is switched on.

Before the cameras are used in a new area, the Home Office advises police to mount a media campaign with warning posters. In Plymouth they used posters saying "Glass head", "Police, camera, action!", "Handcuffed" and "Video Screen". Officers are to wear a sign and to announce: "I am video recording you."

The guidelines tell officers they can use the cameras in situations where they would normally have made a written record. The cameras should not be used in general patrolling unless it is part of a specific operation, such as public order duties. Recordings not to be used in evidence should be deleted within 31 days.

Head-cams to deter crime

Neighbourhood Inspector Shaun Bradbury of Allerton Police Station is to introduce state-of-the-art head-cams to deter crime and disorder within the Liverpool South area. They weigh less than a pencil torch and attach to a helmet or headband to allow for filming by police officers and Police Community Support Officers alike on cycles, foot as well as from vehicles.

The cameras, (supplied and sponsored by a local company, “Abbey Cycles”) are being used for the first time in Liverpool and are aimed at gathering evidence and also showing transparency.

People will know they are likely to be recorded on the street and we will have inescapable evidence of their crimes and anti-social behaviour. The cameras record straight onto a hard drive and can constantly record for 20 hours. The footage is then easily transferred to a computer or projector, and every recorded frame is watermarked and cannot be tampered with.

Tackling youth disorder

The cameras have an instant play back screen, which is excellent in the situation of public disorder. Cameras mean we can instantly see again who was doing what. The cameras will be used for the first time to deter Youth disorder within our designated area’s tackling anti-social behaviour, particularly in the Childwall and Aigburth Vale area, this will be shown to the parents or guardians of offenders. A new scheme is going live shortly, within the licensing trade the cameras will also be used to record disorder in and around our licensed premises.

Inspector Bradbury said: “It is very important to point out that the cameras are clearly visible – we are not targeting individuals private lives and we would not be using them in plain clothes. We have had support from local councillors Eddie Clein, Ron and Tina Gould and the local community, who are eagerly awaiting the introduction of the new CCTV cameras, which will eventually be issued to all Neighbourhood Patrol Officers.

"Local community groups will be informed that officers will be using the cameras on the streets and school liaison officers will visit local schools to tell youths they are likely to be caught on camera if they misbehave. Police in Liverpool South have been working hard with the South Suburbs Neighbourhood Team, residents, the business community and partner agencies in the Mossley Hill, Church and Childwall wards to improve the quality of life and feelings of safety within the community.”

Creative and effective methods

Councillor Tina Gould added, “I am delighted that our community will benefit from this new technology, one of the first of it’s kind in the country. We fully support the police in tackling Anti-Social Behaviour that effects so many lives.”

Ian Mcdonald From City Safe commented, "City Safe are committed to creative and effective ways of reducing crime and disorder and enhancing public confidence.

"We are pleased to support this initiative and look forward to using the accurate and timely information that it will provide to make Liverpool an even safer city."