Traffic Wardens Get Security Cameras Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Source: Yorkshire Evening Post

Traffic wardens in Leeds are on the road to a safer future – with a little help from Big Brother. Leeds City Council today revealed that its parking enforcement officers have been issued with shoulder-mounted video cameras It is hoped the presence of the devices will deter motorists who have been ticketed from taking out their frustration on wardens. Last year there were 172 recorded incidents of violence or intimidation towards members of the council's parking squad. They included cases of people throwing punches or spitting at wardens and even trying to run them over. Coun James Monaghan, the local authority's executive board member for environmental enforcement, said: "I think (the cameras] send out a strong message that physical abuse of our staff is unacceptable, regardless of people's motivations. "They are just doing their jobs and deserve protection." The 10 cameras are being used in parts of Leeds deemed to be blackspots for violence against wardens. They include Harehills and the area around the city centre markets. Since the scheme's introduction at the end of last year, there has been a 48 per cent drop in problem incidents. Footage has been handed over to the police on two occasions. The council says the cameras are only turned on when a warden feels threatened. Recordings are deleted at the day's end, unless they need to be kept as evidence. Council chiefs have also pledged that captured footage is not being used for any other purpose but the protection of their staff. The local authority received almost £15m in parking costs and fines in one recent year. To see the article please click on the link below. Yorkshire Evening Post Courtesy of SecurityOracle.com - The Secury Industry's Portal