--- title: "Body Worn Cameras for UK Organisations | ANT Telecom" description: "Body worn cameras with SOS, push to talk, evidence and device management in one system for security, healthcare and corporate teams. Book a demo." type: article version: 1 version_id: "2028af8c-fbe0-4cf9-a98b-87a78e4a3300" generated_at: "2026-10-29T15:27:42.880Z" author: "ANT Telecommunications Limited" language: en reading_time: "16 min" word_count: 3006 keywords: ["Body Worn Cameras for UK Organisations", "ANT Telecom", "How it works on shift"] url: "https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/products-and-solutions/products/body-worn-camera" --- # Body Worn Cameras for UK Organisations | ANT Telecom > Body worn cameras with SOS, push to talk, evidence and device management in one system for security, healthcare and corporate teams. Book a demo. ## Key Takeaways - What is a body worn camera system for organisations - Who uses body worn cameras, and what they need from them - The five parts of an integrated body worn camera system - How it works on shift - Body worn cameras and lone worker safety ## Contents - [What is a body worn camera system for organisations](#what-is-a-body-worn-camera-system-for-organisations) - [Who uses body worn cameras, and what they need from them](#who-uses-body-worn-cameras-and-what-they-need-from-them) - [The five parts of an integrated body worn camera system](#the-five-parts-of-an-integrated-body-worn-camera-system) - [How it works on shift](#how-it-works-on-shift) - [Body worn cameras and lone worker safety](#body-worn-cameras-and-lone-worker-safety) - [Choosing a body worn camera system: what to compare](#choosing-a-body-worn-camera-system-what-to-compare) - [Using body worn cameras lawfully in the UK](#using-body-worn-cameras-lawfully-in-the-uk) - [Why choose ANT Telecom for your body worn cameras](#why-choose-ant-telecom-for-your-body-worn-cameras) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve our website and provide more personalised services to you, both on this website and through other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy. We won't track your information when you visit our site. But in order to comply with your preferences, we'll have to use just one tiny cookie so that you're not asked to make this choice again. [Cookie settings](javascript:void\(0\);) [Accept](javascript:void\(0\);) [Decline](javascript:void\(0\);) Jump to content # Body worn cameras for organisations: SOS, push to talk and evidence management in one system For your customer-facing staff in security, healthcare, retail and the night time economy, aggression and disputes are becoming all too common. Helping your team record evidence and instantly call for assistance in a way that’s compliant with the UK data protection and privacy standards is key to protecting your people and reducing risk. That’s why body worn cameras with optional SOS systems are becoming a priority for UK organisations that take threats to their staff seriously.  ## **What is a body worn camera system for organisations**  A body worn camera system (or BWV – Body Worn Video) allows employees to record incidents and securely manage footage, helping organisations protect their staff, investigate disputes and maintain reliable evidence. For some organisations, that's all they need. Body worn cameras combined with digital evidence management software (DEMS) provide a straightforward way to capture, store and manage recordings without investing in additional communication or safety features.  However, more advanced systems, such as Hytera's HALO PTX solution, can also incorporate SOS alarms, push to talk over cellular (PoC), live video streaming and location services. These capabilities allow employees to call for assistance and enable dispatchers to assess incidents and coordinate a response. The advantage is that you can start with body worn cameras and evidence management, adding communication and safety functionality later if your requirements change. It's a system that can help protect your people in the moment, not simply prove something's happened to them. ## Who uses body worn cameras, and what they need from them Anyone dealing with the general public in situations where people can become angry, upset or aggressive can be protected by a body worn camera system. They’re increasingly used not just by security personnel, but by front-of-house staff across the UK. Over half of frontline **private security** professionals report facing physical violence, with 79% facing verbal abuse, [according to Get Licensed’s 2026 UK Workplace Violence Report](https://www.get-licensed.co.uk/reports/workplace-violence-uk). Being able to raise the alarm when confronted with aggression is key to safeguarding patrolling and static guards, while recording evidence with body worn cameras for security staff helps retail loss prevention teams successfully prosecute thieves and shoplifters. **Retail** shop assistants, supermarket employees and customer service teams can face verbal abuse, threats and physical aggression from members of the public. Body worn cameras can help deter aggressive behaviour, reassure employees and provide valuable evidence when incidents occur. **Customs and border operations** often look to record their search and inspection interactions as a matter of course, to protect their staff during their day to day work, and to keep a record to show that they’re fully compliant. **Housing associations** also make use of body cameras, especially to boost [lone worker safety](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/industries-and-environments/h-a). In **corporate estates and facilities**, reception, front of house and contractor teams are often the first point of contact when a visitor’s frustration boils over. Hospitality unions have also reported “[horrendous harassment](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx278204x8go)” of staff in hotels and venues in recent years, making cameras, SOS alarms and PoC functionality a pressing consideration for anyone improving safety and [communication for hotels and venues](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/industries-and-environments/hotels). That’s especially true for anyone involved in the night time economy, where alcohol can increase the likelihood your teams are faced with violence. Body worn cameras for door supervisors are often a deterrent. And body worn cameras for **healthcare security** are also becoming more popular across the UK, especially as a single hospital trust - University Hospitals Sussex - [reported around 2,000 incidents of verbal and physical abuse against staff in a single year](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1m25x1yyjxo). In all of these situations, the right camera and communications system can ensure that employees can request assistance promptly, disputes don’t arise over what actually happened and staff feel supported rather than threatened.   ## The five parts of an integrated body worn camera system Not every organisation needs the same functionality from its body worn cameras. Some simply want to record incidents and manage footage securely, while others need additional communication and safety features to help protect employees during an incident. Hytera's cloud-based HALO PTX solution allows you to start with body worn cameras and digital evidence management, with the flexibility to introduce additional capabilities such as SOS alarms, push to talk and live video dispatch when required. There are five key capabilities to consider when choosing a system: **1\. Body worn cameras.** Choose a camera that suits your working environment, with the recording quality, battery life and durability your employees need. Features such as pre-record buffering, low-light recording and time-stamping can help ensure important evidence is captured, although capabilities vary between models. **2\. Digital evidence management.** Recording an incident is only part of the process. Digital evidence management software (DEMS) provides a secure way to upload, store, access and manage footage. Recordings can be uploaded when cameras are docked, with authorised users able to review footage, manage retention periods and maintain an audit trail. **3\. SOS alarms.** For organisations that need additional staff protection, body worn cameras with SOS functionality allow employees to request immediate assistance when threatened or in an emergency. Alerts can be sent to a dispatcher and, depending on the configuration, other designated responders. Selected camera models also support automatic man-down detection. **4\. Push to talk communications.** Hytera's HALO PTX platform can provide push to talk over cellular (PoC), allowing employees to communicate instantly with colleagues and control rooms. Compatible Hytera body worn cameras and PoC devices can operate together on the same platform, making it easier to coordinate a response without relying on individual telephone calls. **5\. Live video dispatch.** When an SOS alarm is raised, a dispatcher can remotely access the camera's live video stream to assess the situation and coordinate assistance. This provides valuable context during an incident, helping responders understand what's happening before they arrive. By combining these capabilities within one cloud-based platform, organisations can build a body worn camera solution around their requirements, whether that's straightforward evidence recording or a more comprehensive staff safety system. ## How it works on shift Imagine one of your team is a parking enforcement officer issuing a ticket when a member of the public becomes increasingly aggressive. The situation is escalating, and your colleague feels threatened.   With an integrated body worn camera system, they can press their SOS button on their camera to request assistance.  This automatically starts recording the incident and sends an alarm to the dispatcher. Your dispatcher receives the alert and can access the live video feed to see what's happening. Rather than relying solely on a telephone call or verbal description, they can assess the situation in real time and coordinate an appropriate response. If configured, the SOS alarm can also be sent directly to designated local responders. Using push-to-talk communications, the dispatcher and local responders can share information and coordinate assistance while the incident is ongoing. Help arrives and once the incident has been resolved, the recorded footage can be uploaded automatically when the camera is docked or transferred over the mobile network. Authorised users can then review, securely store and share the footage through the digital evidence management platform. By combining video evidence, SOS alarms, live streaming and instant communication, an integrated body worn camera system helps organisations support employees during an incident, while providing a secure record of what happened afterwards. ## Body worn cameras and lone worker safety Body worn cameras don’t just protect larger teams. They can support lone worker safety too, through the SOS and man-down features included in some camera models. These features are the same as you’ll find across our other [lone worker solutions](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/products-and-solutions/solutions/lone-worker) and [ATEX lone worker devices](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/products-and-solutions/solutions/atex-lone-worker), providing an instant link between your person out in the field and your central control team. With an automatic man-down function, an alarm can be triggered even when the employee is unable to call for help, alerting the dispatcher so the right responders can be notified. For some roles, a suitably configured body worn camera may remove the need for a separate lone worker device by combining video recording, SOS and communication in one unit. However, other roles may be better suited to a different type of lone worker handset, particularly where a visible camera isn't appropriate, and we'll help you choose the right fit for each team.   ## Choosing a body worn camera system: what to compare There’s a wide range of body worn camera systems available in the UK, ranging from kits that cost around £100, to integrated systems that cost significantly more. But price shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Instead, focus on functionality for your body worn cameras and evidence management software and ask the following questions before you invest. - Does the battery last a full shift with recording and PTT on? - Is there a pre-record buffer? - How is footage encrypted at rest and in transit? - Can a dispatcher see live video and talk to the wearer and local responders via the dispatcher software? - How are retention periods enforced and audited? - Can devices be locked, wiped and updated remotely? - Does it work on the network your teams already use, and can it connect to existing radio or PoC groups? - Who installs, integrates and supports it? Choosing a supplier that can address these requirements is an important part of selecting the right system. Integration is what we do: see [how ANT Telecom connects PoC and radio networks](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/blog/how-to-connect-your-hytera-poc-and-narrowband-radio-networks). We take the same approach to body worn camera systems, so the answers to these questions fit the way your teams already work. We’re not tied to specific manufacturers, instead, we look at your specification, your site and the risk to your people to recommend the right system from different manufacturers. ## Using body worn cameras lawfully in the UK Yes, it is legal for organisations to use body worn cameras at work in the UK, as long as you meet your data protection duties. Recording people with CCTV or a body worn camera is processing personal data under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.  That means you need a lawful basis for recording, and a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) before a new deployment. Staff and the public should be told they’re being recorded, through a visible camera, signage and a spoken reminder where practical. Footage can’t be kept indefinitely, and access needs to be strictly controlled and logged. The Information Commissioner's Office has produced clear guidelines on when and how you can use body worn video, [including a seven point checklist](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/cctv-and-video-surveillance/guidance-on-video-surveillance-including-cctv/additional-considerations-for-technologies-other-than-cctv/body-worn-video-bwv/). By making sure you carry out the right assessments, implement the correct policies and train your staff on their responsibilities, you’ll be able to use body worn cameras in your workplace. The right system supports those duties: evidence management handles retention and the audit trail, while mobile device management controls who can access devices and footage. Technology won’t make you compliant on its own, but it makes your policy far easier to follow. See our [ANT Telecom accreditations and quality standards](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/about-ant-telecom) for how we work as a supplier. This is general guidance, not legal advice; take your own advice on your deployment. ## **Why choose ANT Telecom for your body worn cameras** Because [ANT Telecom](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/about-ant-telecom) delivers more than just camera equipment. We’re an independent company that follows your specification to work out how to combine the right tools and technology to meet your needs. For over 30 years, we’ve supported UK organisations as a communications and safety specialist. We supply, install, integrate and maintain equipment from a range of manufacturers, helping customers bring together reliable communication, safety and monitoring solutions. Our ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications demonstrate our commitment to quality management and information security, supported by our SafeContractor accreditation. Ask the people we’ve helped. Look at their [case studies](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/case-studies) and see what we’ve done for them - and can do for you. We’ll help you protect your people and record evidence. Or see for yourself by arranging a demonstration. We’ll show you how the camera, evidence management and optional safety and communication features work together, so you can assess the right solution for your organisation. ## **Frequently Asked Questions** ### Is it legal to wear a body camera at work in the UK? It is legal to wear a body camera at work, but the video recorded has to be treated in line with UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation. You need the right data protection policies and training in place, and you need to make sure all data is managed and secured correctly. ### **Do staff need to tell people they are recording?** You need to make staff and members of the public aware that recording is taking place, using appropriate signage and clear information about how footage is used. Your staff should also verbally inform customers or visitors that they’re being recorded where practical. ### **How long should body worn camera footage be kept?** Only as long as you need it for the reason you recorded it. UK data protection law sets no fixed period, so set retention periods in your policy, delete routine footage promptly and keep evidential footage only until the matter is closed. ### **Can a body worn camera live stream to a control room?** Yes, depending on the system you have in place. If you choose equipment that supports live video streaming, your control room can view footage in real time through the dispatcher software, provided the camera has a suitable network connection. ### **What is the difference between an organisation's body worn camera and police body worn video?** Police body worn video sits under a separate legal regime, with its own powers and national guidance, which this page doesn’t cover. Private organisations use body worn cameras under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). ### **Can body worn cameras work alongside our existing radios or PoC devices?** Yes, depending on the equipment and communication platforms you already use. Some body worn camera systems include push-to-talk over cellular (PoC), allowing camera wearers to communicate with colleagues using compatible PoC devices. Integration with existing two-way radio systems may also be possible, depending on the platforms involved. ANT Telecom can assess your current system and advise on the available options. Have a question that’s not been answered? [Contact our team.](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/contact)  ## **Book your demonstration** If you want to see for yourself how body worn cameras can help protect your employees, the ANT Telecom team will walk you through the options. We’ll discuss your business, working environment and requirements, talk through the types of incidents your employees face, and demonstrate how body worn cameras, evidence management and optional SOS, push-to-talk and live video features work together. [**Book a demonstration**](/contact) ## Related Articles [ #### Remote Server Room Temperature Monitoring: Why Alerts Aren’t Enough Server and communications rooms contain some of an organisation’s most important infrastructure. Network switches, routers, security equipment, servers and UPS systems may all... Read More ](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/blog/remote-server-room-temperature-monitoring-why-alerts-arent-enough) #### The Hidden Cost of Poor Communication in Manufacturing Manufacturing organisations invest heavily in machinery, automation and production processes to improve efficiency. 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All Rights Reserved. --- ## About This Content **Source:** [Body Worn Cameras for UK Organisations | ANT Telecom](https://www.anttelecom.co.uk/products-and-solutions/products/body-worn-camera) **Author:** ANT Telecommunications Limited *This content is provided for informational purposes. Please visit the original source for the most up-to-date information.*