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18 Jul 08Head Cam Trial To Combat Abusive Behaviour
A head cam is being trialled at the Nuffield Household Waste and Recycling Centre in an effort to combat abusive behaviour towards council workers.
Borough of Poole's Environmental and Consumer Protection Services is holding a one-month trial to capture evidence of abuse and aggressive behaviour towards staff at the recycling centre.
The trial is being held first and foremost as a deterrent, but any footage of abusive behaviour could be used as evidence for possible prosecution.
The Video Vest W3000 is equipped with two cameras - one worn as headgear, with a second attached to the lapel of the reflective vest. The user is clearly identified as wearing a head cam recording device.
The security camera continuously records but the memory is wiped clean at 30-second intervals. In the event of an incident, the wearer can activate the camera, which will store the previous 30 seconds. The device can record images and sound, which are stored and accessed for instant playback via a portable unit kept in a pouch on the vest.
The trial has been introduced to ensure the safety of staff following recent serious incidents of abusive behaviour at the Nuffield site. In one incident, an irate member of the public drove their car at a member of staff. Fortunately, no one was injured but the individual concerned has been banned from the site.
Cllr Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Borough of Poole, said: "Abusive and aggressive behaviour towards members of staff is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. By introducing the head cam trial, we are hoping to provide the staff at the Nuffield site with an additional element of protection. If the head cam proves to be a successful deterrent it will result in permanent use of the equipment'.
Directgov