PARKING wardens could be issued with body cameras in a bid to deter aggressive behaviour towards them.

Bosses at the North Essex Parking Partnership, which operates in Colchester, is considering following the lead set by its counterpart in south Essex by asking wardens to wear body cameras.

It comes as 95 incidents of serious verbal abuse or physical assault were reported by wardens since 2013.

While some incidents resulted in an arrest and charge, the South Essex Parking Partnership said the majority resulted in verbal warnings due to a lack of real evidence.

The scheme is now being trialled by the northern group’s central area team, which takes in Braintree.

In a report which went before the NEPP joint working committee, it said there would be an additional trial of a body-worn camera, tested by the central team.

It added: “This follows a recent visit south to ascertain the efficiency of the bodyworn cameras and their effectiveness in the monitoring and recording, and more importantly reducing the number of assaults against parking wardens.”

It has also emerged parking wardens could become policeaccredited, giving them “a wider scope for enforcement”.