LEDBURY parking wardens will soon be adding body worn video equipment to their uniforms.
Civil enforcement officers in the town and across Herefordshire are hoping to all be equipped with the devices by the end of March, in the hope it will deter aggressive behaviour from members of the public.
Wardens are sometimes subjected to verbal and physical abuse as parking enforcement is a contentious, emotive subject where front-line staff often encounter frustrated people.
While all officers employed by Herefordshire Council are trained in conflict resolution techniques to diffuse most situations they do not always work so it is hoped the video equipment will help to protect them further.
The purpose of the cameras is to deter any aggression in the first instance and should a physical or verbal attack take place help to capture the person responsible.
The council treats all cases of aggressive behaviour towards its staff seriously and reports such incidents to the police.
Coun Paul Rone, responsible for transport and roads, said they understood receiving a parking ticket was frustrating but parking attendants should not be subjected to verbal or physical attacks.
He added: “The use of body worn video equipment will help to deter people from venting their frustrations on the civil enforcement staff and we hope people will think twice before abusing officers who just have a job to do.
“No one likes receiving a penalty charge notice but the council cannot adequately manage its roads and car parks without these penalties being in place for those who contravene traffic regulation orders or overstay their time in our car parks.”
