MERSEY Tunnels police are to be issued with body armour to protect them from violent attacks.
More than £30,000 is being spent on the specialist vests for officers patrolling the Kingsway and Queensway tubes.
It is part of a shake-up to protect staff following a safety review by Merseytravel.
It wants to ensure its officers have the same level of protection as those serving with other police forces, particularly in light of the stabbing of a Manchester policeman by terrorists last year.
A spokesman for Merseytravel said: "We are currently evaluating a range of types of body amour, the wearing of which will be optional.
"The introduction of the body armour is as a result of a risk assessment appraisal, not as a result of a single incident.
"It will bring the officers in line with other police officers."
Although tunnels police are rarely subjected to assaults by drivers the move is seen as an preventative measure to avert a possible tragedy.
As part of their duties, officers have backed up Merseyside police on drugs operations in the past and regularly deal with driving offences and crashes.
The vests are also being introduced by many services across the UK as part of anti-terror measures following September 11.
Merseyside ambulance introduced sleeveless vests, costing £300 each, for their staff.
They are worn over the normal paramedic uniform and are not bullet-proof, although they are made by the same firm which supply vests worn by Merseyside police.
Ambulance management decided to act after a number of assaults on staff.
News RSS Feed