SEAFRONT rangers in Bournemouth have been given body cams following a “concerning” rise in abuse from the public.

BCP Council brought forward plans to buy cameras for its staff who have reported being spat at and physically intimidated.

Cabinet member for leisure, councillor Lewis Allison, said there had been a “small but concerning” increase in incidents in recent weeks.

It comes despite the launch of a multi-agency campaign across the county aimed at discouraging abusive behaviour of frontline workers, including council staff.

Cllr Allison said seafront rangers were doing an “extremely difficult job” and said the abuse they had faced was “completely unacceptable”.

“Our seafront ranger team have always had enforcement as part of their normal role in terms of littering, cycling and dog control issues, for example, and consequently we’ve been considering the use of body cams for a number of years,” he said.

“Recently, we have been disappointed to notice a small but concerning increase in the number of incidents against our Seafront Ranger Team.

“These have included verbal abuse, foul language, physical intimidation, damage to vehicles and several cases where a member of staff has been spat at.

“Partly as a result of these incidents, we have decided to bring the decision on body cams forward to afford these particular staff greater protection.”

Earlier this month the council joined other public bodies and emergency services in the county to launch the ‘#Unacceptable’ campaign.

Speaking at the time, its chief executive, Graham Farrant, said they would work with police to deal “harshly” with anyone abusing its employees.

“Abuse of our staff is unacceptable at any time,” he said. “It is not part of the job to tolerate any form of mistreatment.

“It is staggering to hear reports of abuse to both council and other frontline staff at a time when many are going above and beyond the call of duty, working in extremely challenging conditions to keep our communities safe.”