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TRAFFIC attendants in Londonderry could soon have miniature video cameras attached to their hats.
Wardens will be given the equipment to help prevent attacks and settle arguments over parking tickets
National Car Parking Services (NCP) and Roads Service are currently considering trialing the use of the head cameras in Northern Ireland following the scheme's success in part of England.
"Since we introduced them in Salford, Greater Manchester about eight months ago we have seen a 30 per cent reduction in assaults, in an area where assaults were a particular problem", Tim Cowen of NCP services said.
The cameras use a lens fixed to a traffic attendant's hat, linked to a portable hard drive recorder.
The lens is clearly visible and it is clear to members of the public that filming is taking place.
The camera would not affect how parking tickets are issued.
Meanwhile NCP have confirmed there were six assaults on traffic attendants and six cases of verbal abuse recorded in Londonderry since July last year. None of the assaults resulted in serious injury.
Mr Cowen said that the figure compares extremely favourably with other parts of the UK.
"We understand that people may be unhappy that they received a parking ticket but we do not believe any traffic attendants ever deserves to be the target of assaults or abuse because of their job. In general it seems drivers in Derry and Northern Ireland agree."
He added "that said, we believe that one assault is one too many – even though these assaults did not result in serious injury, they should never have happened - and we will always consider new methods of ensuring our staff are safe to do their jobs."
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Weather for Londonderry
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
