Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tiffany Lo

Wetherspoons introduce bodycams for staff after worrying rise in physical assaults

Wetherspoons staff have been given bodycameras during work to help prevent crime and violence across the pub chain's 900 branches.

The initiative comes after a shocking rise in physical and sexual attacks on workers.

The cameras were first tested at Middlesborough's The Swatters Carr last October.

Bar staff and management were given small black cameras to be wear around their necks, reported Teesside Live.

Wetherspoons spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "This is a company initiative and not specific to The Swatters Carr. Our other pubs in Teesside will be following suit.

"Wetherspoon uses CCTV (including body cameras) to uphold this objective, often at the request of the police.

Staff at the pub will be wearing a bodycam to record when assaults happen (Leah Cassidy)

"Body cameras do record sound and images, but only when switched on, for example in the event of an incident."

The chain is now rolling out the scheme to all its pubs across the country and is working with the police to 'prosecute those who are abusive to employees', according to Sun Online.

A man was left fighting for his life after a brawl involving up to eight men and women erupted in the car park of the Dominie Cross Wetherspoon pub on Friday.

The pub giant will be working with police to prevent and stop crime (PA)

Last December, video emerged of pub-goers hurling chairs and glasswares towards the bar inside The Alfred Herring pub in east London.

A woman was heard saying: “Call the policeman" while a man said: “Who the f*** started that?” as many peered into the pub while standing in the street.

Wetherspoons added that the bodycam initiative is fitted under licence laws.

Mr Gershon said: "As a licensed operator, Wetherspoon must uphold the licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003, one of which is the prevention of crime and disorder."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.