Police officers could patrol streets in the borough wearing body cameras as early as next year, it has been revealed.

Ten London boroughs are currently taking part in a pilot scheme, in which 500 police officers wear portable video cameras.

A final decision about using cameras on a larger scale will be made in 2015.

Helen King, assistant commissioner for territorial policing, said she thought the cameras would play an important part in police work.

But she said during a period of financial cuts it was important to conduct a "further evaluation".

Speaking at a Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime meeting at York House last week, she said: "The initial stages are very exciting.

"For the first time I am seeing front-line officers really taking to the new technology.

"Body cameras are very important in terms of evidence, particularly in cases of domestic abuse."

Borough commander Colin Kennedy said: "With domestic abuse particularly we have often found you cannot accurately describe in words what has happened.

"Videos can of course work very effectively as evidence in court and can also safeguard an officer, ensuring that the job is done well, particularly with regard to parts of the job such as stop and search."

Councillor Tony Arbour, cabinet member for community safety, said: "The evidence film will provide is likely to improve justice in encouraging a guilty plea when the accused see it, and give confidence to the public that the police are fair.

"The saving of police time and their greater efficiency as a result will mean win win for all residents."

Confidence in Richmond's police force is among the highest in London.

A recent survey revealed 86 per cent of people believe police in the borough are doing a good job, up from 72 per cent in March 2012, and remains above the Metropolitan Police's average of 66 per cent.

At a meeting in Twickenham last week Stephen Greenhalgh, London's deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: "This is a very safe borough and we should all be proud of the work the police have done here.

"To have the public confidence at 86 per cent and rising is tremendous."

Crime in the borough has dropped 7.7 per cent in the past year, but violence with injury and motor vehicle theft incidents rose by 5 per cent and 33.1 per cent respectively.

Borough commander Colin Kennedy said he was pleased with the confidence in the force, but urged people to help combat the rise in vehicle thefts, which is particularly affecting Mortlake and Barnes.

Chief Superintendent Kennedy said another of his priorities was to reduce the levels of domestic abuse.