Helmet camera could become the long eye of the law

A hi-tech police helmet with a spy camera concealed in the badge is being developed to help officers film suspected criminals.

Sussex Police are testing the miniature camera device, which fits into a standard helmet and can transmit pictures up to half a mile. The cameras can also be fitted into crash helmets and on to the collars of police dogs.

The inventor of the surveillance helmet believes it will be most useful for officers involved in "dangerous" situations, such as riots and house raids, or for gathering evidence outside pubs and nightclubs.

The prototype helmet has been fitted with a miniature camera, transmitter, aerial and battery, and can send pictures to a surveillance van or to a receiver held on an officer's belt.

If it the gadget proves successful it could be adopted in Sussex and throughout the UK.

Robin Allaston, a business manager at Sussex Police, used skills learnt while working for the RAF and British Aerospace to invent the £100 device.

He said further tests were needed - including using the camera in a simulated riot situation - before any decision was made but he was impressed with the results so far.

"It takes a good clear picture and works in low light conditions. The quality is almost as good as the television transmission to your own home," he said.

"It gives you another pair of eyes so they can see exactly what the officer is looking at and gives an extra level of reassurance if you are going into a dangerous situation."

He added the public would need to be warned of its use unless officers were in a "high crime area" and gathering evidence, but he denied that the design was intended to keep the camera hidden.

Sergeant Ray Pattenden, deputy secretary for Sussex Police's Federation, welcomed the camera saying it provide officers with extra protection.

But Liberty, the civilrights group, warned the idea could open a "legal minefield", and there were only specific situations where a secret camera could be used without warning the public. A spokesman said: "It is covert surveillance and the law on that is strict. You have to have authorisation."