Minutes:
Councillor Bruce Baker attended the meeting and spoke as a Ward Councillor in support of the request for the retention of the CCTV camera in The Sigers. The petition had originally been considered by Councillor Mills on 18 March 2010 and it had been resolved to install a temporary wireless CCTV camera in the road and then report back to the Cabinet Member after three months for further consideration. This period had now expired and the matter was due for reconsideration.
Concerns and suggestions raised at the meeting included the following:
Councillor Douglas Mills listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised. It was noted that the Council had six temporary cameras at its disposal, only two of which were suitable for the smaller lampposts found in residential streets such as The Sigers. One of these cameras had been located in The Sigers since June 2010. There was a high demand for these cameras and a greater need elsewhere.
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 had tightened the restrictions on CCTV cameras so that the Council would have to apply to the Magistrates Court for permission to erect permanent CCTV cameras. Although the Act restricted the Council’s ability to undertake surveillance, it did not affect residents’ ability to erect their own cameras. The Council had to prove proportionality and necessity for the permanent installation of covert/overt cameras but the camera had been in place for three months and there had only been three incidents during this period.
With regard to the young person that was caught on CCTV doing graffiti on the wall, it was noted that the image was perfect but that the police had not yet been able to identify the offender. The image would be held on file until he was caught. With regard to the incident mentioned by the resident where the camera’s sightline had been obscured by a tree, officers advised that they would clarify the situation with the resident outside of the meeting.
Councillor Mills advised that he would not consent to the CCTV camera remaining but that, if the level of crime increased after it had been taken down, consideration would be given to putting the camera back up. In the meantime, residents were urged to report any incidents of criminal activity to the police so that this could be used as supporting evidence for any future request to reinstate the camera. If residents wished to erect a dummy camera on the lamppost when the CCTV camera came down, they would need to request permission from the Council.
RESOLVED: That the Cabinet Member for Improvement, Partnerships and Community Safety discussed with petitioners in detail their concerns, and advised as follows:
Reasons for recommendation
To address the concerns of the residents and update them on progress since the Petition Hearing on 18 March 2010.
Alternative options considered
Dummy CCTV cameras could be secured to a lamp post. The Council discourages the use of dummy cameras as they give an impression of safety without the ability to provide any evidence if an incident were to occur.
Fencing the whole strip of footpath on The Sigers side would be unlawful, even though access can be gained from another entrance. The footpath is also too narrow to permit fencing and it is not possible to widen it as the road is too narrow.
Supporting documents: