CCTV to tackle crime hotspots

Wetherby Ward councillors agreed a grant of almost £3,000 from their discretionary funds to put the surveillance cameras in place in the High Street and Sandringham Park in response to a number of anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents.

Coun Alan Lamb said: “We recognise residents’ frustrations with incidents of ASB across the ward.

“Please be assured that we are working with police and other bodies to get to the root cause of these.”

And he added that they hoped cameras would help, adding: “CCTV is just one of the tools available to us but we hope it will act as a deterrent to prevent future incidents. “We have been careful to ensure a measured response to these incidents that will not stigmatise all young people.”

Sandringham Park is a Green Flag facility and has won numerous community awards after local residents, including many children, turned the then ASB-blighted area around.

Coun Lamb added: “Earlier this month, I met with council officers on-site at Sandringham Park and agreed an action plan to have the area cleaned and tidied.

“We want the park to be a welcoming venue for all, regardless of age.”

The Wetherby Ward members said they have been made aware of other occurrences of ASB and are working with the police and council officers to deal with the issues.

Coun Norma Harrington said: “Rightly, the rules around installing CCTV, whether permanent or temporary, are quite rigorous.

“That is not to say we shouldn’t be doing it because the rules are hard, but we must ensure it is justified, appropriate and beyond challenge.

“I am pleased that we can support these initiatives to make our communities safer places to live.”

Fellow Wetherby Ward councillor Linda Richards called for increased police patrols.

“We do live in a relatively low-crime area. Nevertheless it is important for our communities to see police on patrol as much as possible and I have been working with the local police to try to ensure that our villages and surrounding areas are well-patrolled by officers.”

She added that timing was crucial to the CCTV being effective.

“These are only temporary licenses for CCTV with a finite timespan so, we must ensure that they are installed when they will do most good - this will be when people are actually using the park.

“Now that spring and summer are on the way, residents should feel assured with an extra level of protection that CCTV provides.”

The councillors approved the discretionary Wellbeing Funding application at a meeting of the Outer North East Community Committee on January 20, providing a grant for £2,976.