BBC News | UK | Traffic wardens given body armour

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BBC News Online: UK

Thursday, 1 June, 2000, 14:22 GMT 15:22 UK

The threat of violence against traffic wardens has become so bad they are being issued with body armour.

More than 30 police forces have handed out bullet and stab-proof vests to protect wardens from angry drivers.

The job has never been the most popular with drivers, but it is now getting more dangerous.

He became irate and he started pushing and shoving
Traffic warden Mark Holmes

In Hartlepool it is mandatory for wardens to wear a vest every time they are on the streets.

The move was prompted by five attacks on traffic wardens in the past two years.

One victim, Mark Holmes, was assaulted by an angry male driver.

"I was just dealing with a motorist and he became irate and he started pushing and shoving," he said.

He added that drivers seemed to be getting more and more angry when issued with a ticket, but traffic wardens just had to live with the abuse.

Related to this story:
Town fights to save traffic wardens (26 Mar 99 | UK)

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