POLICE officers patrolling the streets of the Medway Towns now have the latest technology to help them record and fight crime.

Specially-trained officers are the first in Kent to use the ground-breaking overt surveillance equipment.

The small digital camera fits behind an officer’s ear and records an eye view of incidents on to a hard drive. The cameras have an instant playback feature on a small colour screen and a high-quality microphone that can pick up conversations.

The head cams are being worn overtly as part of an officer's uniform and it is hoped they will help to increase the number of convictions secured police.

Chief Insp Des Keers, who co-ordinated the introduction of the devices, said: “The head cam devices have been used by a small number of other forces in the UK, which has resulted in a significant rise in the number of convictions secured at court.”

Six of the cameras are being used in Medway in a bid to capture evidence of public order incidents and to assist officers dealing with domestic violence incidents.