TRAFFIC wardens in parts of North Yorkshire could be given body-mounted video cameras, following a spate of attacks.

Eight wardens have been assaulted in Harrogate and Selby since January 2013, with attacks ranging from pushing to punching and one head-butt.

Harrogate Borough Council met yesterday to look at buying the cameras for their wardens in Harrogate and Selby, but the decision has been postponed so further information can be gathered from other councils.

City of York Council’s parking enforcement officers are already offered CCTV badges for their personal protection, which are worn on a voluntary basis.

A spokeswoman for CYC said most officers chose to wear them and use them on a frequent basis, but there had still been nine incidents of verbal or physical assault on officers in York since January 2014.

A report before the Harrogate council's sustainable transport meeting said there had also been six incidents of verbal abuse and threats, which were serious enough to be reported to North Yorkshire Police, with warnings, cautions, a fixed penalty notice and prosecutions carried out.

The equipment - which includes 23 cameras - would cost £9,100, which would be jointly funded by Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Craven and Selby District Councils, and would be issued to Parking Civil Enforcement staff who work alone, often in remote areas.

The report said: "Parking enforcement is a necessary activity to assist with traffic management and adherence to parking regulations.

"However, it is an emotive subject and staff involved in issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are involved in potentially confrontational situations on a daily basis and are, unfortunately, subject to abuse when carrying out these duties.

"Incidences of verbal abuse, threats and physical abuse have increased in recent years and, whilst we have robust training, support and reporting mechanisms in place, action by the police is sometimes hampered by a lack of evidence.

"The benefits of these cameras, particularly with regard to acting as a deterrent, have been discussed with a number of Local Authorities who have seen a significant reduction in incidences of verbal and physical abuse as well as false allegations of misconduct against staff."

The report said: "Whilst most of the public are courteous and understand the need for parking enforcement, there is a worrying increase of incidents against council employees carrying out this function.

"These cameras will chiefly act as a deterrent but can be utilised, when needed, to ensure that the staff are protected from false allegations and that evidence can be provided to the police to secure appropriate actions against the perpetrators of such incidents."

Following consideration, Councillor Rebecca Burnett, cabinet member for sustainable transport said she recognised the validity of the cameras, but requested further information from other local authorities to support the benefits of the cameras before the decision was made.

A new date for the decision has not yet been set.