Sponsored by
Wardens get body cameras to fight crime
MINUTE cameras hidden on clothing are being used to tackle crime in Rotherham.
The tiny cameras placed on wardens' jackets or helmets are capable of recording information for use in court.
Wardens equipped with "body cams" took to the streets yesterday to crack down on anti-social behaviour and environmental crimes such as graffiti and dropping litter.
They have a fleet of 12 mountain bikes, to enable them to travel more quickly than on foot.
Rotherham Council says the scheme will cover all of the borough and aims to "strengthen community confidence in addition to cutting crime and reducing the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour".
Councillor Sue Ellis, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: "Fifteen of these cameras will be made available to the warden team and used on a rotation basis to help tackle instances of anti-social behaviour and environmental crimes, such as littering and graffiti."
"I'm sure that they will help improve the service the wardens offer and make them feel safer when carrying out their duties.
"The mountain bikes will also be particularly useful in heightening the visibility of our wardens by increasing the amount of area they are able to cover, allowing a quicker response time to incidents.
"Additionally, they will allow wardens to carry equipment ready and available to remove graffiti on the spot.
"Whilst Rotherham doesn't have a significant problem with anti-social behaviour or environmental crimes, we hope this move will reassure the public that we are taking as many measures as possible to tackle those issues that most concern them."
The cameras and mountain bikes have been funded by 10,000 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, a grant which is made available to local authorities in England's most deprived areas.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
