Body-worn video vs interview recording

Body-worn video versus Interview recording (PACE Code E/F)

Both body-worn video and the formal audio or visual recording of a police interview capture what a suspect or witness says, but they are governed by different rules, serve different functions, and have different evidential status.

Side by side

	Body-worn video	Interview recording (PACE Code E/F)
Governing framework	College of Policing authorised professional practice on body-worn video; Data Protection Act 2018; UK GDPR	PACE Code E (audio recording of interviews) and Code F (visual recording); Code C governs the conduct of the interview itself
Purpose	To create a contemporaneous record of police encounters with the public; to support complaints investigations and performance review; to provide evidence	To create an accurate and complete record of what was said during a formal interview conducted under caution
When it applies	Public-facing encounters: stops, arrests, domestic incidents, use of force, and other interactions where the officer is in contact with members of the public	Formal interview of a suspect at a police station (or elsewhere if the interview is conducted away from the station)
Notice to the person	The person must be informed that they are being recorded; the BWV footage should be activated before the encounter begins	At the start of the interview, the officer must explain the recording process and hand the person or their solicitor a notice
Admissibility	BWV footage is routinely used as evidence in court. The court will assess its reliability and whether it was fairly obtained	The master recording is sealed and retained; a copy is used for the investigation. A transcript may be prepared. It is admissible in evidence
Retention	Retained for a defined period (typically 31 days for routine footage, longer where it is relevant to proceedings)	Master recording retained until proceedings are concluded; retention thereafter depends on the disposal
Failure to record	Failure to activate BWV where required may be the subject of misconduct proceedings and scrutiny in civil claims	An interview conducted without proper recording in accordance with Code E may result in the evidence being excluded under section 78 PACE

Which applies

BWV captures what happens on the street; PACE Code E/F recordings capture what happens in the interview room. Both are increasingly important in evidential and accountability terms. Prosecutors, courts, and complaints investigators will look for both types of material when reviewing a case. Officers should ensure that BWV captures arrests, searches, and key interactions, and that formal interviews are always recorded in accordance with Code E or F.

Last updated 24 September 2026