BIFA has been advised that Port of Felixstowe Security Officers will be wearing body cameras from Monday 17th August. These cameras will be activated whenever a search is required should an individual refuse to undergo a search, they will not be granted access to the Port.
The wearing of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) is becoming the norm in the security industry; they have been used in policing for several years including Ports Police and security officers in other UK ports.
BWC are used for the safety of both the officer and members of the public, providing an accurate record of what is seen and said during interactions.
This also protects both parties during the ISPS search, for example we have had drivers allege that security officers have removed items during searches, it also provides evidence on finds of prohibited articles and illegal items.
Security Officers will make drivers aware at the commencement of each search that they are using BWC, and that the search will be recorded.
If the driver refuses to be searched under UK Maritime Security Regulations for any reason, for example they do not want to be recorded on the BWC, then access to the ISPS Restricted Area will be denied and the incident will be dealt with in the same way as any other refusal to search.
The storage of the data will be in accordance with the Information Commissioners guidance on the retention of CCTV footage and the custodians of the data will be Mitie Security.
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