Temporary CCTV to help fight crime in residential areas?

TEMPORARY CCTV cameras, owned by the town council, could be used in residential areas to help residents feel safe and combat crime. 

The town council has agreed to purchase two rapidly deployable CCTV cameras that can be used to provide quick, short-term CCTV cover for areas that identify a problem, such as anti-social behaviour.

The proposal was welcomed by some councillors at a town council meeting last week, who called for the council to take action on anti-social behaviour and drug dealing in the town. 

However, some town councillors raised concerns about the use of CCTV in residential areas, with some describing it as an invasion of privacy, despite reassurance from the town clerk that there is a strict procedure and protocols to follow before a camera is deployed.

“I wouldn’t want a local government CCTV camera outside my own house,” said cllr Simon Crundell, “and I wouldn’t want to sanction one outside one of my resident’s house without overwhelming support from the community.”

Cllr Phil Alford said that he had ‘major reservations’ and was ‘uncomfortable’ about putting CCTV in residential areas.  “I do think it’s stigmatising for the people that live there,” said cllr Alford. “It’s not going to make people feel particularly safe, and it’s an intrusion of privacy.”

Cllr Claire Forgacs added that CCTV in residential areas would not make her feel safer.

In support of using temporary CCTV cameras, councillors Louisa Lewis and Carl Houghton explained that they felt it could help in situations similar to Primrose Drive, when last year, residents in the area complained of anti-social behaviour and drug dealing around the park and nature reserve.

Cllr Lewis said that CCTV would have helped to put residents’ minds at rest and support the police with their work.

It had been originally proposed that the town council purchase four rapidly deployable CCTV cameras at a cost of over £22,000, but this was described as ‘overkill’ by some councillors, and the proposal was scaled back to purchase two instead.

“We are the second safest place in the county,” said cllr Jacqui Crundell, “I just don’t understand why we need four cameras.”

In disagreement, cllr Sue Mortimer said, “We haven’t got much [crime], but even what we have is too much.  

“My aim is to have zero incidents of anti-social behaviour in the town – we need to get a grip on this.” 

Cllr Mortimer then explained that it was ‘quite common’ for her to be approached by residents complaining that drug deals are taking place across the town. 

“We have got to deal with it,” she said, “not just say ‘accept it, there is nothing we can do’.” 

She later explained that she had been told by a housing officer that a number of areas in Melksham are ‘rife’ with drugs, and that the officer was ‘very keen’ for the town council to purchase the new CCTV cameras. 

“I think you are in denial about how much drug use there is in Melksham,” she said. “Let’s get rid of it!” 

In response to cllr Mortimer, cllr Simon Crundell said, “If we as a council are going to go after teenagers dealing ‘weed’, then we’re completely omitting the middle-class drug dealing – we’re only looking at one socio-economic demographic.  

“And actually, marijuana drug dealing is anti-social behaviour and needs to be gone – but I think it’s rather short-sighted to just be saying it’s the chavs on the street that we should be pursuing because they don’t look smart. The array of middle class drug dealing will be overlooked as they don’t deal on the streets.” 

Twelve councillors were present for the vote – cllr Jacqui Crundell had left the meeting room when the vote was taken – 11 councillors supported the motion to purchase two deployable CCTV cameras; one councillor, Simon Crundell, voted against. 

It was agreed that the council should spend no more than 55% of the £22,480 quoted for the provision of four deployable CCTV cameras. 

They also agreed to spend £3,100 to upgrade equipment in the CCTV control room at the Town Hall to cater for the higher quality of incoming images and facilitate effective monitoring and reaction to incidents.