Wardens to wear CCTV spy cameras

Russell Steele 1627 - 1627 • Published 9 Jun 2009 14:00

COMMUNITY wardens in Inverclyde will be kitted out with hi-tech cameras on their uniforms - to boost the battle against anti-social behaviour.

Inverclyde is the first council in Scotland to introduce the state-of-the-art equipment, which will be used to record footage during incidents wardens are called to.

Council chiefs say the mini-cameras, mounted on the wardens" uniforms, will provide an additional way of tackling anti-social behaviour.

The body cameras will not record continuously, but will be used to "document incidents" the wardens are attending - recording what they see, hear and say.

The footage by the body cameras could then, potentially, be used as evidence.

Councillor Robert Moran, who heads Inverclyde Council"s safer communities committee, said: 'We are continually looking at innovative approaches to targeting anti-social behaviour in Inverclyde.

'The body cameras will provide good-quality evidence and corroboration of facts and developing circumstances in relation to ongoing anti-social behaviour.

'Identifiable images will be downloaded and passed to our Strathclyde Police partners for their information and inquiry.'

The lightweight device will be worn on the uniforms of community wardens carrying out mobile, foot patrols and mountain bike patrols.

One camera will be issued to each of the council"s 16 pairs of warden teams.

The mini cameras - which are costing £7,000 - will also help supplement the three "mobile CCTV" vans deployed throughout the Inverclyde area daily.

The largest CCTV vehicle is currently being deployed throughout areas identified as current "hot spots" for troublemakers.

A council spokesperson said: 'The community of Inverclyde is encouraged to visit the vehicle, where they can discuss ongoing acts of anti-social behaviour with the community wardens.'

Local wardens dealt with almost 850 incidents during April and May this year.

Around half are typically reported by members of the public calling in, while the remainder are picked up during patrols by the wardens themselves.

The incidents can range from reports of dog fouling or littering, where a fixed penalty may be issued, to more serious instances of anti-social behaviour - and council bosses believe the new cameras will help their staff on the ground deal with those issues.

Drew Hall, community safety and wellbeing service manager, said: 'The cameras will be important for a number of reasons. They will be good for our workers, as they will help ensure their safety. They will also help with identification and with ensuring we have a record when people are being interviewed. The wardens are delighted with them.'

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 09 Jun 09

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