Police body-worn cameras to be rolled out in Edinburgh ahead of Halloween and Bonfire Night

Police officers in Edinburgh, the Lothians, and Borders have begun deploying body-worn video (BWV) ahead of Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Around 1,800 officers in the capital, including road policing units and dog handlers, will be equipped with the new devices over the coming weeks, marking the halfway point in the national initiative that began in Tayside in March 2025.

For the first time, BWV will be used to capture real-time audio and visual evidence during the traditionally busy period around Halloween and Bonfire Night.

It comes following a major criminal investigation into incidents that unfolded on Bonfire Night last year.

‘Cameras will act as a deterrent’

Last year, groups of youths reportedly targeted emergency services, vehicles and public property with projectiles, including fireworks, bricks and other items.

Police Scotland said the force responded to 18 incidents as part of Operation Moonbeam, and 61 people were reported in connection with the disorder across Scotland.

Officers hope the visibility of the cameras will deter violent and disorderly behaviour.

Deputy chief constable Jane Connors said: “As Halloween and Bonfire Night approaches, having officers on the streets with the capability to record evidence can and should act as a deterrent to those considering engaging in criminal activity.

“Investigations into fireworks-related crimes will continue following Bonfire Night, and anyone who commits an offence will be pursued. Body worn video footage will aid those investigations.”

Disorder unfolded across the country last bonfire night. Police Scotland

Since its launch in March, over 140,000 recordings have been captured using BWV devices, equating to nearly 32,000 hours of footage.

More than 8,500 media files have already been transferred to the Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) platform to support investigations and prosecutions.

DCC Connors added that BWV is already showing promise in enhancing the quality of evidence brought to court.

“The technology will improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims, reduce time spent at court for victims, witnesses and officers, and boost public trust in policing,” she said.

“There is strong public and partner support for body-worn video in Scotland, and we will continue to ensure transparency around its use, especially regarding data privacy and human rights.”

Justice secretary Angela Constance welcomed the progress, describing it as a vital development in modern policing.

“I welcome this important milestone in the national rollout of body-worn video, which can increase public confidence in policing and improve safety for officers and staff,” she said.

“It also benefits victims and witnesses by enabling quicker progress to court and helping secure earlier guilty pleas.”

The rollout involves the distribution of over 10,500 Motorola Solutions VB400 cameras to officers from constable to inspector ranks, as well as police custody staff.

The technology is designed to improve transparency, de-escalate volatile situations, and support both public and officer safety.

With the eastern regions now fully operational, attention turns to the west of Scotland, where the rollout is set to continue in early 2026.

The BWV rollout is part of a wider digital transformation supported by the Scottish Government’s £33m investment in the DESC programme, aimed at improving the way digital evidence is managed from crime scene to courtroom.