VIDEO CAMERAS FOR TRAFFIC WARDENS

Wardens in Salford, Greater Manchester, will become the first in Britain to record their work on video.

NCP Services, which supplies the attendants in the city, hopes the initiative will be adopted by councils throughout the country if it proves successful.

The technology has been introduced to help resolve disputes over tickets and to provide evidence against motorists who assault or abuse staff.

The cameras, already used by police and community support officers, will also aid wardens with their new powers of issuing fixed penalties for littering, flyposting, graffiti and dog fouling in the street.

James Pritchard, communications manager of NCP Services, said: "The cameras will be crucial in gathering evidence on the circumstances of why a fixed penalty has been issued.

"In many disputes it can often boil down to one person's word against another.

"We will now have the video evidence to help clear up any doubts.

"The technology will also act as a deterrent against attendants being assaulted or abused."

He explained that a small number of workers would initially use the devices in the city next week before the programme is rolled out to all parking staff working on behalf of Salford Council. "We are hoping that other councils will decide to use the technology after seeing how well it works in Salford," he said.