EVF to Trial Body Cameras at 24-Hour Garage

Ellan Vannin Fuels (EVF) has announced it will begin trialling body-worn cameras at its Peel Road petrol station from next week, in a move aimed at deterring abuse and antisocial behaviour towards staff.

The Peel Road site is EVF’s only 24-hour store and the company says it has become a common location for incidents of disrespect towards employees, particularly during late-night trading hours.

EVF operates 10 petrol stations across the Isle of Man.

Explaining the decision, the company said: ‘While incidents of verbal abuse or shoplifting are extremely rare, these measures will serve as a deterrent.’

The trial will see staff equipped with body cameras that do not record continuously.

EVF confirmed the devices are only activated manually and that team members are trained to inform customers when recording is taking place. Both video and audio are captured.

Addressing concerns around privacy, EVF said data would be stored in line with its existing policy, which is publicly available on the company’s website.

Customers will also be able to see when recording is active, as the cameras have a forward-facing screen showing what is being captured.

EVF also confirmed the footage could be used in serious incidents.

‘Yes the police can request this data in the event of an incident, which can be potentially used in court,’ the company said.

The business added that it operates a ‘zero tolerance policy towards suspect drink and drug drivers’ and said any such concerns would be reported to the Isle of Man Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit.

The trial is currently limited to the Peel Road site only. EVF said no decision has yet been made about rolling the cameras out to other locations.

‘After the trial is completed, we will assess the results and make a decision based on the feedback received,’ the company said.

EVF stressed the cameras are intended to support staff safety rather than to change the day-to-day experience of customers, most of whom it described as respectful and well behaved.