We know we get things wrong sometimes leaving you feeling frustrated or even angry, but it’s not ok for those feelings to turn into threats of violence or aggressive behaviour.
Over the past 18 months, we’ve seen a concerning rise in the amount of threatening and abusive behaviour towards our teams across PA Housing.
Some housing providers and many local authorities already use body worn cameras very successfully, and we want to understand whether they are beneficial for our communities and staff.
We’re going to be starting a trial of some colleagues wearing body worn cameras, like the ones worn by the Police, to try and help keep our staff safe, reduce aggression during face-to-face interactions, and gather clearer evidence when investigating antisocial behaviour (ASB) or complex tenancy issues.
We’ll be starting the trial on 7 April 2026 and it will run for 8 weeks.
This will be limited to a small number of colleagues in a small number of neighbourhoods to start with. If successful, our intention will be to roll it out wider across the business with resident facing teams.
We’ve put together some frequently asked questions below:
Only a small number of trained PA Housing staff will use body-worn cameras during the trial.
Staff will turn on their camera only when they believe a situation may become confrontational or when evidence may be needed.
Whenever it is safe to do so, staff will inform you by saying:
“I am now recording for your and my safety.”
Staff will only record in your home if they feel a situation is becoming confrontational.
No. Routine or friendly conversations will not be recorded. Body worn cameras are only used when needed for safety, evidence, or to prevent escalation.
Your privacy is extremely important. Footage is:
- Encrypted and stored securely
- Kept only for a limited period
- Accessible only to authorised data protection and management staff
- Never edited or shared without strict legal controls
- Deleted automatically when no longer required
You can find out more about how we keep your data protected by reading our Privacy Notice on our website
Only trained PA Housing staff responsible for evidence handling or investigations.
Front-line officers cannot view or delete footage.
Yes, but only when legally required - such as for criminal investigations, serious ASB, or safeguarding concerns. This is done through a formal agreement and strict controls.
Yes. You can make a Subject Access Request (SAR) through our Data Protection team. Footage may be redacted to protect other people's privacy.
Find out more about Accessing your data on our website.
No. Body worn cameras do not change our expectations of staff conduct. They help ensure interactions remain safe, respectful, and transparent for everyone involved.
The trial will run for around 8 weeks. We’ll then look at the results and consult with residents before we roll the approach out across all neighbourhoods.
You can contact our ASB or Data Protection team. We are happy to explain how the cameras work and how your information is protected.
