Council staff to be issued with body cameras

Staff at Boston Borough Council will be issued with the cameras later this year

Council staff in Boston are to be issued with body cameras to improve safety and reduce aggressive behaviour.

The council said cameras were a useful deterrent, but will only be used by front line enforcement staff in circumstances where it's lawful, legal and necessary.

The leader of Boston Borough Council, Dale Broughton said: "It's our responsibility to ensure that our officers feel safe and protected."

The policy was put forward by the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and Boston is the only authority to have approved it to date.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, council staff will be trained how to record and store footage on the devices correctly.

Broughton said: "This policy is highly regulated to ensure that it protects our rights and liberties.

"Body worn cameras will only be used in circumstances where it's lawful, legal and necessary," he added.

Members of the borough council backed the policy at a meeting on Wednesday.

The scheme will also be considered by councillors at East Lindsey District Council at a meeting next week.

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