POLICE officers across West Yorkshire are using hundreds of ‘bodycams’ which they have not had to pay for.

The force is introducing body-worn cameras to assist officers by providing recordings as they perform their duties, and in January the force had 490 units.

But it has revealed that 468 of those are on loan from different manufacturers, with the force holding just 22 of its own units, which it has had for several years.

They say they will soon be going through a buying process but at this stage are unable to say how many cameras they will be buying.

The cameras the officers are currently using have been provided by various suppliers and they will be returned when the force buys its own.

The loaned cameras have been in use since January last year, according to the force.

Bodycams are regarded as an increasingly useful tool for officers because they can record footage which can be used as evidence.