ALL frontline officers across a North-East police force will wear body cameras by the end of the month, it has been announced.

Durham Police expects to complete the rollout of the tiny technology to police officers, special constables and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) by the end of March.

It will be the first force in the country to take the move, issuing 800 cameras in all.

The cameras are used to capture evidence for use in court.

Assistant chief officer Gary Ridley said: "This is a big step forward for the force and the community.

"Both officers and staff regard them as helping them to do their job more effectively and victims of crime can feel reassured that the cameras will help us deal with them more effectively.

"The cameras purchased deliver excellent value for money as they are a fraction of the price of some cameras on the market."

Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg supports the move.

"This is just one part of the investment in information technology which I am keen for the force to maximise, in order to manage the continued funding cuts imposed by the Government," he said.