Head-mounted cameras latest weapon against stone-throwing yobs

Mar 11 2008 by Gerry Holt, South Wales Echo

FIREFIGHTERS in a South Wales town have been issued with special head-mounted cameras to try to deter attacks by stone-throwing yobs.

The lightweight camera, or “head cam” connects to a digital video recording unit and is operated with remote-control lapel buttons.

It weighs just 82 grams and works in the daylight and in the dark.

The move comes after Pontypridd firefighters reported several attacks from yobs who pelted them with stones.

It is hoped that the head cams will deter this thuggery, help identify the culprits and bring them to justice.

Assistant chief officer Steve Skivens, of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, who is leading the Welsh Chief Fire Officer Association team that is looking into attacks on fire crews, said: “Firefighters put their lives on the line for their community – they have always had to consider their safety when dealing with a potentially dangerous incident, but now it seems that they also need to take care of their personal safety resulting from an attack by a member of the community they are trying to protect.

“Attacks on our crews are totally unacceptable.”