Plymouth officers show off police tech to help deter crime
Members of the public were given a unique opportunity to find out about the high-tech equipment used to detect knives and capture CCTV footage from up to 10 kilometres away.
A community event was held in Plymouth earlier this month to connect with passers-by about the ongoing work taking place to keep people safe in the city.
The police CCTV van and knife arch were on show and offered people a chance to learn more about what the equipment does and how it is used to keep communities safe.
PCSO Kyle Stimpson, who supported the events, said: “Engagements like these are a great way to for us to break down barriers and showcase some of the work we’re doing to protect people and prevent crime.
“We want to show our communities that we are approachable, friendly and there to help anyone who is in need.
“Knife crime is not a major problem in Devon and Cornwall and the region is one of the safest areas in the country to live, but it’s great to demonstrate the equipment we have in place – both as a deterrent to potential offenders and also as a reassurance to residents and visitors.
“Thank you to everyone who came along.”
The van is kitted out with two high definition 360-degree cameras that can be set to a height of up to eight metres, capturing footage from up to 10 kilometres away.
The cameras also have live facial recognition which can be used to detect people on police wanted lists.
Any footage captured can also be used in court as evidence if a crime takes place. All remaining footage is deleted following the deployment of the van.
The CCTV van is regularly deployed in crime and antisocial behaviour hotspots, particularly those that involve violence against women and girls.
The knife arch is deployed across the force area as both an educational tool to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife, and also used as a deterrent at local events.
It looks similar to security scanners used in airports, working instantly to detect the presence of metal, flashing red for a positive result and green for a negative scan.
To find out when your next local police engagement event is taking place, visit: Your area | Devon & Cornwall Police
To report crime to the police, call 101 or report online here: Report a crime | Devon & Cornwall Police
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report through the anonymous charity Crimestoppers: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers
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