Corporate manslaughter laws spark body armour fears
July 7, 2008
New corporate manslaughter laws are leading councils to buy body armour for local government staff, the Guardian reports.
Concerned about corporate accountability for safety, hospital trusts and local authorities are supplying stab- and bullet-proof vests for A&E and hospital staff, teachers, traffic wardens and benefits officers.
Experts reportedly believe it is in response to new corporate manslaughter laws, introduced in April, that could lead to organisations being prosecuted if they do not protect employees.
More than 20,000 Home Office-approved body armour sets have been issued, amid a growing fear of knife crime.
A senior Scotland Yard homicide detective told the paper the moves demonstrated "a shameful indictment of violence in Britain".
Staff need a "greater level of protection", according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
Policing minister Tony McNulty said knife-carrying was getting into teenagers' "collective DNA", the Metro newspaper reported.
It also said the NHS and LGA stated that individual hospitals and councils decided whether or not to supply the armour.
Concerned about corporate accountability for safety, hospital trusts and local authorities are supplying stab- and bullet-proof vests for A&E and hospital staff, teachers, traffic wardens and benefits officers.
Experts reportedly believe it is in response to new corporate manslaughter laws, introduced in April, that could lead to organisations being prosecuted if they do not protect employees.
More than 20,000 Home Office-approved body armour sets have been issued, amid a growing fear of knife crime.
A senior Scotland Yard homicide detective told the paper the moves demonstrated "a shameful indictment of violence in Britain".
Staff need a "greater level of protection", according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
Policing minister Tony McNulty said knife-carrying was getting into teenagers' "collective DNA", the Metro newspaper reported.
It also said the NHS and LGA stated that individual hospitals and councils decided whether or not to supply the armour.
More Corporate manslaughter news:
Corporate manslaughter understanding 'will come from case' - April 29, 2009First corporate manslaughter charge issued - April 24, 2009
Firms 'can avoid corporate manslaughter' - March 24, 2009
Road accidents 'can cause corporate manslaughter cases' - February 4, 2009
Essex councils join HSE in 'myth busting' - October 15, 2008
