Parking wardens get CCTV cameras

The council wants to deter people from threatening parking wardens

Parking wardens in Perth and Kinross are to carry CCTV recording equipment in a bid to cut down on verbal abuse and threats from members of the public.

The cameras clip over the ear to give an eye-level view of what is happening.

The footage could be passed to police after an altercation and used as evidence in court.

The pictures could also be used when dealing with complaints from members of the public about the behaviour of parking wardens.

Councillor John Kellas, of Perth and Kinross Council, said: "This equipment will provide corroborative evidence of verbal abuse or threatening behaviour towards these employees as well as a record, while they are carrying out their duties, of any direct contact with members of the public which may subsequently be subject to dispute.

"Council employees should not be subjected to either physical or verbal abuse while carrying out their duties and this equipment should deter individuals from engaging in this type of behaviour.

"Evidence of such behaviour may be passed to Tayside Police with a view to prosecution."