Kingston’s frontline workers play a vital role in our everyday lives, be it keeping our streets safe, helping us in a medical emergency or getting us to work.

Yet, shockingly, my colleagues and I have uncovered figures that show violence against people like nurses, cabbies and receptionists is rife.

Across London, there have been about 30,000 attacks on essential workers in just the past three years, working out to almost 200 violent incidents a week.

The research shows train and Tube workers are dealing with drunken and racially aggravated violence, doctors and nurses in our hospitals are punched, kicked and spat at, while cabbies face guns, knives and even being run over by their own cars.

Affordable wearable technology, such as panic buttons and body cameras, will help bolster the security and protection of these essential workers.

They would act as visible deterrents for criminals, monitor the safety of staff and call for help in an emergency.

Furthermore, video evidence from cameras would make it easier to report crimes, avoid disputes and shorten trials.

I believe the kit will eventually pay for itself. A one-year pilot of 100 wearable GPS panic button devices for staff that are mobile or work alone would cost about £33,000 including all hardware and service plans.

A trial of 200 body-worn and vehicle cameras for frontline ambulance crews would cost an estimated £106,000.

Compare this to the huge financial burden of violence in the workplace – it costs Transport for London £2.2m and the London Ambulance £125,000, just for one year.

We depend on front-line workers. They need to be treated with respect while doing their job.

TONY ARBOUR Conservative London Assembly member for Hounslow, Richmond and Kingston