![](https://emergencyservicestimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ESS-Button-resized.png")
A change in policy at the Met Police has led to the speedier release of body worn video footage to share with the public as it seeks to improve transparency and trust in policing.
In recent months, the Met has published more and more body worn video through its social media channels. The gritty footage shows what officers are experiencing in a wide range of incidents. It is publishing the edited footage closer to the time of the incident rather than waiting until the conclusion of any criminal proceedings.
The Met says it has changed its policy to allow for the quicker release of valuable footage as it said without it, the public was left relying on footage shared online by others, “sometimes showing only snippets of longer incidents and giving only a partial picture.”
The revised approach, which the Met says has safeguards built in to protect the integrity of future court cases, means the full picture can more often be provided.
Under this new policy, within hours of the knife attack in Golders Green, North London, the Met released body worn video that showed the perspective of the first response officers. The Met says this was in response to a narrative growing online which criticised the force used by officers, who were bravely apprehending an armed man.
Chief Communications Officer, Sharon Sawers explains: “The Golders Green attack was a prime example of this; we needed to act fast to rebut the criticism we saw online around the use of force by officers. Crucially we also needed to support our officers who had put themselves in grave danger. When unarmed officers apprehend a man with a knife, who may have other weapons or even an explosive device, they really should be commended not criticised.”
The policy makes clear any release of body worn video must be necessary and proportionate. A decision to release a video must consider the Met’s legal obligations, including data protection, any operational risk and the impact on future legal proceedings.
To read similar articles, check out our Technology channel.
