Headcams for Traffic Wardens
Anglesey’s parking enforcement officers are trialing a new head cam in a bid to curb abusive and threatening motorists.
Anglesey’s parking enforcement officers are trialing a new head cam in a bid to curb abusive and threatening motorists.
The move will allow the County Council to provide video evidence to support future prosecutions by North Wales Police.
Two motorists were recently issued with fixed penalty notices for verbally abusing parking officers during separate incidents in Llangefni and Holyhead.
The work of managing parking on the Island’s streets and car parks is undertaken by a team of Parking Enforcement Officers, employed by the County Council.
Head of Highways, Dewi Williams, explained, “We’re currently trialing a head cam supplied by the Anglesey Community Safety Partnership. The camera, worn by one of our enforcement officers, will be used to record evidence of abusive and threatening action and presented to the Police for further action. If the trial proves successful, we will look at the possibility of providing a head cam for each officer.”
He added, “The Authority will certainly press for firm action from the police and courts against those who abuse, threaten or attack a member of the Parking Enforcement Team. Council staff work hard to make Anglesey a safer place to live and work and we will not tolerate abuse of any kind.”
Parking Enforcement Officers are trained in conflict resolution and how to calm down angry motorists and defuse any potentially violent situations.
Highways and Transportation portfolio holder, Councillor Eurfryn Davies, welcomed the recent police prosecutions. He said, “Our Parking Enforcement Officers carry out an important task within the community.
It’s unfortunate that some members of the public choose to subject them to verbal and sometimes physical abuse. We won’t tolerate abusive and threatening language against our officers as they go about their lawful business.”
“I’d remind the public that there are procedures and mechanisms in place to deal with any queries, challenges or appeals against penalty charge notices. There is never any excuse to resort to violence or abuse if you feel that a parking ticket has been issued unfairly.”