Council staff to wear body cameras after rise in attacks

TORBAY Council is trialling the use of body-worn cameras after a rise in attacks on staff.

The council has issued the cameras to three groups of workers who usually operate alone.

It says the aim of using the technology is to improve the safety of staff and provide evidence of crime.

There are concerns among civil liberties campaigners about the increasing use of cameras by local authorities, but Torbay says its system complies with data protection law.

The council says all video is encrypted in the camera so it cannot be obtained by a third party.

It is securely downloaded to a database which deletes it from the device.

It is then deleted from the database after 31 days unless it is being used in a criminal investigation or other legal action.

A statement by the council said: “These staff usually work alone and the incidents of aggression and assaults have been increasing.

“This trial is taking place during September and October 2018, where upon an evaluation will take place of the equipment, the impact on incidents of aggression and assaults and the results of this consultation.”

The statement added: “There are clear procedures in place for anyone wishing to obtain the data, which must meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act.”

Independent councillor Robert Excell, Torbay’s executive lead for community services, welcomed the trial.

He said body-worn cameras offered protection for the officers and public they came into contact with.

Cllr Excell said: “A body camera acts as a deterrent, people are mindful of what they say, on both sides.

“It protects the officers and

Body cameras will be worn by council staff safeguards the public as well, by providing factual evidence.”

The council is seeking the views from residents about the trial.

There is a consultation questionnaire on its website.