Librarians could wear body cameras to curb abuse

Librarians may be given body-worn cameras to deal with rising incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Essex County Council said it was considering the action at Witham Library, where it recently hired a private security guard.

The authority runs 74 libraries and it said incidents had also been reported in Colchester.

Mark Durham, the Conservative cabinet member for librarians, said "we are considering the use of body cameras to protect the staff".

"I've been increasingly concerned to hear of incidents of anti-social behaviour at Witham Library and indeed other libraries across Essex," he said, speaking at the full council meeting at County Hall on Thursday.

"There have been several incidents involving younger people – particularly at Colchester and Witham – and in both cases, there's one group in particular who are problematic."

He said new doors were being installed at Colchester Library to combat anti-social behaviour.

Staff at Witham Library have faced increasing levels of abuse, according to Essex County Council

Conservative councillor Ross Playle also said: "There seems to be a small group of young people, probably teenagers, who are causing a bit of a nuisance."

He said it was a "very sad state of affairs" if librarians had to wear the devices.

The council previously mooted plans to give Colchester staff body-worn cameras after 50 anti-social incidents took place between February and May 2024.

Councillors have been engaging with Braintree District Council and Essex Police to get on top of the issue, the Local Democracy Reporting Service wrote.

"This anti-social behaviour is not only unfair to the staff but is, in fact, increasing our costs," Durham added.