Roadworkers to wear bodycams as abuse soars

It is hoped the body cameras might stop abuse and violence from the public

Roadworkers are being given body cameras after a rise in abuse from drivers.

Southampton City Council said 58% of highways staff in the city reported they were abused at least monthly.

Workers said they had had barriers and cones hurled at them, seen vexed drivers mount pavements to avoid shut roads and suffered verbal abuse.

The city council said along with the body cameras, more mobile CCTV would be placed at roadworks sites.

Brenton McClean, from Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: "When we’ve got our hi-vis on we literally become a target"

Balfour Beatty Living Places is contracted by the council to manage 594km (369 miles) of roads in the city.

Worker Brenton McClean said he had experienced "a torrent of abuse" throughout his career.

He said: "In one situation, a man wanted to get through a road closure, he attacked my colleague, hitting him with a baseball bat.

"Me and four or five of my other colleagues had to restrain him whilst we waited for the police to arrive.

"It was just awful, it wouldn't happen outside of other people's work but when we've got our hi-vis on we literally become a target."

The roadworks firm said footage from the bodyworn and CCTV cameras would be used to report incidents.

Anyone who witnesses any roadworkers being subjected to threatening behaviour are being urged to contact the police on 999 or 101.