The Council are urging members of the public to be respectful when dealing with traffic wardens after an increase in the number of incidents involving abuse.
Following the successful prosecution of a man who verbally abused a Civil Enforcement Officer from Bath & North East Somerset Council, the public are being urged to respect the staff when they are issued a ticket.
Gary Day was fined £675, ordered to pay £85 costs and pay a victim surcharge of £70 under the Public Order Act 1986 for causing someone harassment, alarm or distress, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour.
Chris Major, Group Manager for Transport and Parking at the Council, said: “Over the past year there have been thirty-eight incidents of violent or threatening behaviour directed at Bath & North East Somerset Council Civil Enforcement Officers. These incidents are simply because CEOs are doing their job.
“This behaviour is unacceptable in any walk of life. The recent prosecution marks a point where the Council will be more proactive in co-ordinating action with Avon and Somerset Police when people overstep the mark.
“The behaviour we are talking about is not a brief remonstration with an Officer after someone receiving a ticket. The cases recorded involve a sustained tirade of vile abusive language and physical intimidation.
“If someone receives a ticket and thinks that the Council is in the wrong, there is an appeals system where we will consider grievances and rip-up the Penalty Charge Notice if considered legitimate. All we ask is for people to be respectful.”
To enhance the quality of evidence so that the chances of a successful prosecution can be improved, the Council will shortly be using Body Cams.
These simple cameras will be carried by every CEO and can record at the touch of a button. Intended to reduce abuse and violence, the Body Cams are already working successfully in East Hampshire, Leeds and Cardiff achieving incident reductions by up to half.
Chris Major explained: “If a CEO senses an altercation, the persons involved will be informed the Body Cam is switched-on. They can make a considered choice about their behaviour. People have nothing to worry about if they behave appropriately. But if someone is abusive or threatening, they could end-up with a criminal record and hefty fine.”
