GIVING body cameras to security staff working in East Lancashire’s hospitals, in order to catch acts of aggression towards them, is a great idea.

Safeguarding NHS staff must be a priority.

Doctors, nurses and health care assistants have difficult enough jobs as it is, without being abused or assaulted while trying to do it.

In the year 2013/2014, 223 assaults were reported against staff working for the East Lancashire Hospital NHS Trust, according to NHS England.

The figures almost doubled in 12 months.

The latest figures showed aggressive incidents involved 30 out of every 1,000 staff members.

Those who assault NHS workers are simply idiots.

Making a stand like this proves aggression will not be tolerated.

NHS staff are often trying to do their work in a pressured environment and helping people while they are at their most vulnerable.

Giving security staff cameras will also help to secure prosecutions.

But the most powerful effect these cameras will have is as a deterrent.

They will hopefully make aggressive thugs think twice.

Any initiative like this must be applauded.