Torbay Council Body Cameras

Torbay Council issues body cameras to workers who usually operate alone following a rise in attacks on staff.

12:18 13 September 2018

A Devon council is now trialling the use of body-worn cameras to improve the safety of staff and provide evidence of crime. The move comes after a rise in attacks on staff.

 

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, whereupon 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, who welcomed the trial, said: “A body camera acts as a deterrent, people are mindful of what they say, on both sides.

 

“It protects the officers and safeguards the public as well, by providing factual evidence.”

 

Torbay Council assured the public that the system it is using complies with existing data protection law. It added that all video is encrypted and securely downloaded to a database to prevent unauthorised access.