News Article from Ayrshire post:
Aug 14 2009 by Lisa Boyle

SMOKERS beware – for all eyes will be on you in a bid to crackdown on smoking in public. Enforcement officers will have cameras strapped to their heads to catch those willing to flout the strict no-smoking law.

The new gear will help officers collect evidence against those caught puffing in public places. Gordon Lawder, senior environmental health officer, explained: “The smoking legislation allows one officer to go out without corroboration. “The head cameras are being used to alter the balance of doubt. At the moment it’s the officers word against the person. The cameras will make things more transparent.”

Since the smoking legislation was introduced, 57 fixed penalties have been handed out to smokers. And a further five have been dealt to licensees who haven’t adhered to the new law. A spokesperson for trading added: “Although compliance rates in South Ayrshire are high there have been occasions in the past where the evidence of a breach has been challenged.”
The equipment consists of a small camera at eye level attached to a recording unit. Recordings are securely encrypted so that only special equipment can play it back and the recording cannot be altered in any way. Officers will declare that the equipment is recording to make people aware of it. Only footage which may be required for future proceedings will be retained. All other footage will be deleted at the end of the working day. Councillor Peter Convery concluded: “The equipment has already been used by police and other enforcement agencies in the UK and proven to be very successful. “Experience shows that evidence recorded by the head camera leads to a higher rate of fixed penalty notices being paid as well as a reduction in aggressive reactions from those caught breaching the ban.”