Heads, you lose (From Bournemouth Echo)

Heads, you lose

7:00am Friday 25th July 2008 in

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Aggressive residents who threaten council staff will be caught on camera at Poole's civic tip.

A head cam is being used on trial at the Nuffield Household Waste and Recycling Centre in an effort to combat increasing abusive behaviour.

There have been a number of serious incidents, which have threatened the safety of staff. During 2006/7 there were seven reported incidents of abusive behaviour.

In one, an irate member of the public drove a car at a member of staff. No-one was injured but the individual concerned was banned from the site.

"Abusive and aggressive behaviour towards members of staff is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated," said Cllr Don Collier, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment.

"By introducing the head cam trial, we are hoping to provide the staff at the Nuffield site with an additional element of protection."

Borough of Poole's environmental and consumer protection is holding a one-month trial, intended mainly as a deterrent.

However any footage of abusive behaviour could be used as evidence for a future 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 security camera records continuously but the memory is wiped clean at 30-second intervals.

If an incident takes place the wearer can activate the camera, which stores the previous 30 seconds. The device can record images and sound, which are stored and accessed for instant playback.

"If the head cam proves to be a successful deterrent it will result in permanent use of the equipment," said Cllr Collier.

The site already operates a CCTV system and the head cam wearer will be clearly identified.