Emergency duty social workers at North West council to be able to access live police body-worn camera footage under partnership with local police force
Emergency Duty Team (EDT) social workers at Westmorland and Furness Council will be able to securely access live police body-worn camera footage, enabling real-time safeguarding decisions that are “informed, timely, and focused on the child’s best interests”, under a partnership between the local authority and Cumbria Constabulary called ‘Operation Vitas’.
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In a LinkedIn post shared last week, the council’s Assistant Director for Children and Young People, Jonathan Taylor, said the initiative represents a “bold step forward” in how the council protects children during high-risk police incidents, particularly those occurring outside of standard working hours.
The key aims of the approach are to:
- reduce the time children spend under Police Protection Orders
- improve the quality and speed of safeguarding decisions
- strengthen joint working between police and Children’s Services
- ensure that every action taken is rooted in compassion, context, and care
Taylor said: “As we prepare to go live, we are confident that it will set a new benchmark for safeguarding practice not just locally, but nationally. This is more than a technical solution. It’s a reflection of our shared commitment to doing better for children by acting faster, working smarter, and standing together.”
Cumbria Constabulary has been approached for comment.
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