ANGLESEY traffic wardens are getting a futuristic upgrade in the battle against angry drivers.
A trial scheme has given one of the island’s parking enforcement officers a head-mounted video camera in a bid to curb the routine abuse faced by traffic wardens.
Anglesey council’s parking manager Alun Roberts hoped that the scheme would prove effective in protecting enforcement officers.
“There's is a persistent problem, people are not pleased at receiving the parking tickets and are venting their anger at our enforcement officers.” he said.
The cameras allow the traffic wardens to record any abuse received on their daily duties, which can then be passed on to the police and could lead to prosecutions for abusive motorists.
The scheme has so far not led to any criminal proceedings, which Alun Roberts felt shows the scheme is working by giving traffic wardens an effective deterrent against abuse.
“I’d say it has made a difference - the officers can always refer to the fact that they’re wearing the head camera.” he said.
Should the scheme prove successful in protecting enforcement officers from abuse, other North Wales authorities may also adopt the head cams.
“From a North Wales perspective, we work closely with local authorities across North Wales and if the trial is successfull, other authorities may well adopt it, with their officers being subjected to similar abuse.” added Mr Roberts
The cameras are not being used in relation to parking offences, with daily recordings not passed on to the police being immediately deleted.
A motorist in Holyhead was recently issued a fixed penalty for verbally abusing an officer.
Holyhead mayor John Chorlton welcomed the trial scheme, saying that parking officers are simply doing their job and do not deserve the abuse that comes with the job.
“They're doing the job to the best of their ability and don't deserve to be abused.” he said.
“There’s no use arguing - you stick to the rules and you pay the fine.”
“I hope people wise up and realise they just doing their job.”