Parking enforcement officers across the Folkestone and Hythe district are to be issued with body-worn cameras to enhance their personal safety and assist with evidence gathering whilst on duty.
The council’s parking enforcement contractor, Marston Holdings (formerly NSL), announced that the rollout of the video devices will commence on Monday 1 June 2026. The initiative aligns the district with standard safety protocols already implemented across various other local authority contracts nationwide.
Council officials have stressed that the cameras will not be used for parking enforcement purposes or to issue fines. Instead, officers will only activate recording functions if they find themselves in a situation where they feel their personal safety is threatened. To ensure privacy and data security, all captured footage will be encrypted, stored, and processed securely, meaning officers will be unable to view or edit the data themselves. The recordings will be automatically deleted after 45 days, unless there is a specific lawful requirement to retain them for a longer period.
Cllr Polly Blakemore – Cabinet Member for Transport, Regulatory Services and Building Control – said:
“Safety of officers on the ground is of the utmost importance – as well as the drivers and residents they interact with.
“This extra level of protection ensures that any evidence of violence or abuse towards our teams while they carry out their role is recorded and shared with the police.”