24 April 2007. For immediate release.
Home Office Minister to tick off
Councillors who voted against new CCTV cameras.
Home Office Minister, Tony McNulty MP, is to visit Redditch to witness new investment in CCTV by Redditch Borough Council and the government. He
was appalled to hear that Conservative Councillors, backed up by the BNP and Councillor Nigel Hick (Lib Dem) had voted against the scheme coming to Redditch.
Tony McNulty MP will be in Redditch next Tuesday afternoon to see plans for new “speaking” cameras being set up in the Town. Loudspeakers
will be fitted to cameras, allowing CCTV operators to challenge people committing antisocial behaviour.
Local MP, Jacqui Smith, invited the minister to Redditch to see where the scheme would operate and said
“An existing scheme in Middlesbrough, which has been used to stop vandals, drunk and disorderly behaviour and tell litterbugs to pick up their
rubbish, has received widespread support from locals. These cameras can never and should never replace old fashioned street policing but they can really help tackle the sort of
things that make people's lives a misery."
Council workers in a control centre can monitor pictures from 12 talking cameras in the town, and communicate directly with people on the
street at the flick of a switch. If appropriate they can call police into the area.Bill Hartnett, Labour’s Deputy Leader of Redditch
Borough Council said
“This scheme can prevent fights and
criminal damage and cut litter levels - the consequences of which cost us thousands of pounds a year. These cameras can raise awareness that our town centre is a safe place to visit and that we are keeping an eye open to make sure it is
safe."
Those voting against the scheme on Monday 23 April 2007 were:Tory
Councillors Gandy, Brailey, Pulsford, MacMillan, Smith BNP Councillor EnderbyLib Dem Councillor
Hicks
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