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| Stab vest plan for council staff | Stab vest plan for council staff |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A Northern Ireland council is set to give some frontline staff stab vests. | |
| Down District Council's environment committee is expected to approve the move on Wednesday. | |
| It is envisaged that vests would be given to staff including litter wardens and those attending incidents involving so-called "noisy neighbours". | It is envisaged that vests would be given to staff including litter wardens and those attending incidents involving so-called "noisy neighbours". |
| SDLP Councillor Peter Craig, who chairs the committee, said he hoped staff would never need the vests, "but at least they'll have them". | SDLP Councillor Peter Craig, who chairs the committee, said he hoped staff would never need the vests, "but at least they'll have them". |
| "Litter, for example, is costing the council a fortune and we need our wardens to be able to do their job with confidence," he said. | "Litter, for example, is costing the council a fortune and we need our wardens to be able to do their job with confidence," he said. |
| "Knife crime isn't really a major issue in the Down District Council area, but under health and safety, you have to make sure employees are protected against knives or whatever. | |
| "The vests will also be protection against a broken bottle, an assault or other acts of violence." | "The vests will also be protection against a broken bottle, an assault or other acts of violence." |
| The DUP's William Walker described the introduction of stab vests as a "good idea". | The DUP's William Walker described the introduction of stab vests as a "good idea". |
| The vests will be worn under staff's normal work clothes and won't be visible in any way Councillor Liam Johnston | The vests will be worn under staff's normal work clothes and won't be visible in any way Councillor Liam Johnston |
| "Anything that enhances the safety of our workforce has to be welcomed, particularly these type of officers," he said. | "Anything that enhances the safety of our workforce has to be welcomed, particularly these type of officers," he said. |
| "We don't have a problem with these types of attacks and obviously don't want one, but you have to plan ahead." class="bodl" href="http://www.downdc.gov.uk/welcome.asp">Down District Council | |
| Sinn Féin Councillor Liam Johnston was also in favour. | Sinn Féin Councillor Liam Johnston was also in favour. |
| "As far I'm aware other councils have similar measures - the vests will be worn under staff's normal work clothes and won't be visible in any way," he said. | "As far I'm aware other councils have similar measures - the vests will be worn under staff's normal work clothes and won't be visible in any way," he said. |
| If, as expected, the go-ahead is given by Down District Council's environment committee, the proposal will go before the next full meeting of the council for ratification. |