Unrelating

Following investigations into complaints from a community enforcement officer, the court has found the Stockton Borough Council guilty of neglecting the law which requires it to provide appropriate protective equipment and maintain it in good working condition.

The Middlesborough County Court has announced a compensation amount of £2,000 plus legal costs of £50,000 to be paid by the council.

The faulty equipment issued by the council consisted of protective body armour which its officers are required to wear in order to escape serious stab injuries. The body armour distributed by the council in 2006 was second hand and had been used previously by the Northumbria Police. The equipment was defective and ill fitting and many of the enforcement officers who were using these armours found them to be extremely uncomfortable. These issues were reported to their superiors however, no immediate action was taken.

Officer Anthony Roach, aged 31, who hails from Eaglescliffe in Teeside, developed serious back and shoulder problems after continuous use of the defective body armour. Subsequent to a formal complaint, the issue was analysed in depth.

It was discovered that the plates in the front and back of his armour were of different sizes leading to an uneven distribution of weight that caused excessive strain on his back and shoulders. The pain was so severe that Mr Roach was put on light duties in June 2007. Until this time, no concrete action was taken by the council on basis of the many complaints from the officers.

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