Vigilance can report that Rossendales has bought a significant number of body worn cameras to be worn by their bailiffs. The RS3-SX cameras, which are also used by police officers, are lightweight and clip on to a bailiff’s clothing. They will be used to monitor professionalism, prevent false accusations and reduce incidents of aggression all over the UK.
During the financial year 2010/2011, the Rossendale Group, a leading UK Enforcement service provider, with an incredible national footprint and client portfolio, recorded 140 incidents of violence and aggression against the company’s staff.
Body worn cameras have been used for years by the police and councils to create a firsthand recording of events and disprove false accusations. Bailiffs often work alone, which means they are susceptible to receive abuse, threats and physical violence.
The cameras bailiffs will be wearing have a screen facing the public, so people can see their actions being recorded. The presence of the screen acts as an extra deterrent. When people realise they have been caught on camera, they frequently curtail their behaviour and often retract false and vexatious complaints. Cameras with public facing screen have been proven to reduce incidents by up to 50% more than other body worn cameras.
The company that will be providing the cameras, Reveal Media, has been working with body worn video technology since 2002. Their products are used by over half the UK police forces and many councils and security organisations all over the world. The camera that bailiffs will be using is the RS3-SX, which is renowned for its weatherproof rubber sealed case, articulated camera and public facing screen.
For many years Rossendales has been campaigning for new legislation. Their Chairman Julie Green-Jones was part of the working party advising and assisting the Ministry Of Justice on the recent consultation. Rossendales fully support the proposed regulatory changes and complaints process following reports of a minority of aggressive workers. Mike Shang Rossendales Managing Director said: “Rossendale has been at the forefront of changing the way debt enforcement agencies work and we’ve been working closely with the MOJ on drafting new legislation that will help regulate our industry.”
Alongside this legislation, using body worn cameras could help bailiffs conform to the proposed changes. The public view of bailiffs can be extremely negative, which has been fuelled by several sensationalised television programmes over the past ten years.
Recording with body worn cameras has a proven effect not only on the attitude of the person in front of the camera; it also increases the professionalism of the person behind the camera. Both parties are aware that they can be recorded. The presence of a body worn camera would reassure the debtor that any wrongdoing on their or the bailiff’s part would be recorded. It would create a safer working environment and promote appropriate legislation to be followed.