Traffic wardens to get camera ready

Mar 10 2009 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THOSE who threaten and abuse the county’s traffic wardens will now see themselves staring down the lens of a camera which could lead to prosecution.

Perth and Kinross parking attendants are getting geared up with technology in an effort to tackle the threats and abuse they receive while carrying out their duties as kerbside guardians of the county’s roads.

In a high-tech addition to parking attendants’ personal safety, portable CCTV cameras will now be worn as part of their uniforms.

Perth and Kinross councillor John Kellas explained the move is necessary to help ensure the local authority employees are no longer subjected to physical or verbal abuse while carrying out their duties.

He explained: “This equipment will provide corroborative evidence of verbal abuse or threatening behaviour towards these employees as well as a record, while they are carrying out their duties, of any direct contact with members of the public which may subsequently be subject to dispute.

“Perth and Kinross Council remains committed to using proactive measures to ensure the well-being and safety of its employees,” he stressed.

“Council employees should not be subjected to either physical or verbal abuse while carrying out their duties and this equipment should deter individuals from engaging in this type of behaviour.

“Evidence of such behaviour may be passed to Tayside Police with a view to prosecution,” Councillor Kellas warned.

“It will also be very useful in settling disputes or complaints from members of the public over parking issues,” the convener of the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee added.

The portable CCTV equipment has been carefully developed to meet Home Office and Data Protection Commissioner guidelines, with particular regard to encryption and authorised access control of the footage.