Should some housing staff have bodycams to protect staff and tenants, or are they an invasive? 
Tenants have their say.

On LinkedIn yesterday, some housing staff who deal with anti-social behaviour were arguing they should have body cams (like emergency services) to record challenging contact and protect themselves.  They argue Bodycams can help de-escalate a situation etc.

Today is TPAS Cymru’s Antisocial Behaviour Day with a series of workshops for staff and tenants – I quickly reached out to TPAS Cymru’s Tenant Advisory Group and asked tenants overnight how do their feel about this subject?

53 tenants gave their instant thoughts overnight (I am writing this 7.30am next morning!)

 This quick poll captured tenants initial thoughts:  

 

Question 1 - Do you think housing staff responsible for dealing with anti-social behaviour should have bodycams?

Approx. 70% aggred, however most of the remaining 30% did not agree at all. This 30% had grave concerns

 

Question 2:   Do you think all housing staff responsible working with face to face tenants should have body cams?   (for example housing officers, community engagement etc)

This was much more split – 47% against, 43% in favour and 10% not sure.

 

Any final views on this subject?   Concerns? Suggestions?  How would you feel?

Lots of comments but there were 3 key themes :

1. Lots of other comments and concern regarding:  trust, legalities, GDPR, storage, DSARs. 

Police and ambulance etc have rules and established procedures for body cams- what track record does housing have? They can't even fix basics or bill service charges correctly. would not trust them to use it correctly.

2. Concerns about filming inside homes

Not inside people's homes

I feel uncomfortable with the idea of body cameras inside the home,

3. Support for housing officers

This is 2025, body cams are here now and used widely. The question would be why not use them?

I am in complete and utter agreement beyond all shadow of a doubt that any staff member working with tenants face to face, especially when alone should be required REQUIRED to wear a body cam. This does not only support the staff member but also the tenant as it is a record of things discussed, reported and otherwise. There should be an online system where that persons footage is uploaded to their tenancy account for use in potential cases required by court or otherwise at a later date. This puts a serious duty to staff members who have not taken complaints seriously or otherwise dumbed down complaints while offering protection to staff.

Think that those working in a challenging customer facing role should wear body cams - so long as the other person is made aware they have it on.

So over to you:  You have heard the first thoughts of tenants.
How do you feel about this subject?  
Open to tenant or people working in housing

Have your say here via our quick poll