READERS of The Press have overwhelmingly welcomed news that North Yorkshire Police officers will be issued with body worn cameras within weeks.

As reported exclusively on Monday, the force has invested up to £1.4m in the new technology less than a year after The Press reported there were only 30 cameras in use between more than 1,300 officers.

Superintendent Mike Walker told The Press the technology “will be an invaluable addition to our officer’s kit which will help us to gather evidence against offenders even when the victim is reluctant to press charges”, and would be rolled out to firearm officers in June, then to officers carrying Tasers, responding to domestic incidents and those working in custody suites this summer.

Further reviews will take place, and could lead to all uniformed police officers and PCSOs being issued with the cameras.

An online poll at thepress.co.uk saw 92 per cent of 61 readers say they were in favour of the cameras, while just eight per cent said they were against them.

Comments on the story were also favourable, and included reaction from ‘Pete the Brickie’, who said: “Excellent news, people with the huge responsibility and powers granted to every police officer should absolutely be monitored, supervised and accountable. The “costs” of this technology should easily be met by improved productivity, resulting in less overtime and less time lost on complaints due to an improvement in staff behaviours.”

‘Haxby Lad’ said: “Great idea! If you behave yourself then you should have nothing to worry about. As previous correspondents have said, it should make the police more accountable too for their actions.”

‘MadHaxMan’ said: “What it will equally show is the disgusting behaviour officers endlessly have to put up with from some of the scum they deal with day after day. Spat at, kicked, verbal abuse - all in a days work.”

On Facebook, when asked if the new cameras were a good idea, comments included; “Depends if they switch them on”, “Absolutely and will encourage public confidence in policing services”, and “Yes it is, this will be good for our police”.