POLICE in Southampton took to the streets last night equipped with hi-tech cameras mounted on their hats and lapels for the first time.

As revealed earlier this month by the Daily Echo, the Body Worn Video scheme - dubbed HeadCam - is part of a bid to crackdown on drunken violence in the city centre.

About 20 officers will wear the equipment as part of a pilot project.

It is hoped the £21,000 trial will eventually be rolled out across the whole of Hampshire to curb anti-social behaviour and help victims of domestic violence.

The dual cameras capture an eye view of incidents and send visual and audio footage straight on to a hard drive attached to the officer's belt.

Chief Inspector Karen Scipio, who is leading the project said: "Initially the cameras will be a deterrent factor, because if people know they are being filmed generally it curbs their behaviour, failing that it provides us with evidence in court."