Chiltern District Council CCTV Removal

Chiltern District Council to remove 12 of its CCTV cameras.

19:29 19 October 2018

Chiltern District Council is planning to remove 12 static CCTV cameras, including in Lowndes Park, Chesham following an investigation that shows they were used less frequently to detect crimes than others. Meanwhile, cameras that are deemed “no longer fit for purpose” will be replaced with digital surveillance.

 

The decision has raised concerns with politicians arguing that the move could encourage crime.

 

Deputy leader councillor Mike Stannard said: “I think one thing that gives me some concern is the list of cameras that are going to be decommissioned.

 

“And whilst I understand that maybe these cameras are not necessarily picking up any incidents, I do wonder how many incidents they prevent by being there in the first place.

 

“So I do think this is a subject that needs a little bit more consideration before we agree to remove some of these items.

 

“I do think we need to put a little bit more thought, particularly on those cameras we are talking about.”

 

Meanwhile, leader of the council, Isobel Darby, said static CCTV cameras must be replaced with mobile CCTVs.

 

She said: “We are looking at the allocation of up to £80,000 for mobile CCTV.

 

“If you have got a CCTV camera that is in the right place, is there for long enough, people will find a way around it so as not to be seen by it.

 

“So I think having mobile is worth a lot more than static that is there all the time. You don’t know where it is going to be and when it is going to be.”