Pc Dave Bryan with the new head cam

The �900 "head cam", or "Robocam" as it is officially called, has been bought for officers by Northampton Community Safety Partnership.

It will be used to film anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related disorder.

Northants Police said it was likely it would also be used while they pursued drug warrants and closed crack houses.

The introduction of the camera follows a successful trial of a similar head camera which was loaned to officers last summer.

Police have previously used conventional video cameras to gather evidence but the "head cam" has the advantage of leaving officers' hands free and their vision unrestricted.