Not enough body-cams for police

Police officers in Scotland have fewer than 1,000 body-worn video cameras despite requests from force chiefs for more equipment, according to new figures.

Statistics obtained by the Scottish Conservatives using freedom of information legislation revealed Police Scotland has access to 941 body-worn video cameras.

Some 682 devices are available for use by fullytrained armed police officers, according to the figures, while the north-east division have access to a further 259.

The force said it wanted between 10,000 and 11,000 officers to have access to the kit, with Chief Superintendent Matt Richards saying last year that the technology would help to reduce court backlogs.

Jamie Greene, justice spokesman for the Tories, said the slow rollout of the kit was “shameful”.

The Scottish Government said: “Despite UK Government austerity, we have increased police funding year-on-year since 2016-17 and have invested more than £10 billion in policing since 2013.”