Row over bulletproof vests for city officials

Aug 15 2008 EXCLUSIVE by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool Town Hall

“If people feel like they need this to go into our city centre and visit pubs and clubs, then we have got a serious problem, and I don’t believe we have.

“This is a sledge hammer to crack a nut.”

Business leaders in Liverpool said they understood the council’s need as an employer to provide safety equipment to their staff.

But Frank McKenna, of lobby group Downtown Liverpool in Business, said pubs and clubs in Liverpool were among the safest in the country.

Although there have been no instances of licensing officers having been shot at, it is believed one licensing officer needed hospital treatment after a recent confrontation.

Around five years ago, Sefton issued stab proof vests to its trading standards officers, and three years ago to taxi licensing officers.

A spokesman said the equipment is usually worn at night when out and about.

Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley said the council had a duty to take steps to protect staff under the Corporate Manslaughter Act.