Ipswich Voted Most Watched Town

Ipswich, which currently has 288 CCTV cameras, has been voted as one of the country’s most watched towns.

16:53 11 April 2018

A recent study shows that Ipswich has more than four times the amount of cameras per resident than Birmingham, making it one of the country’s most watched towns.

 

Big Brother Watch has raised its concerns saying that the implications for privacy grow as camera numbers increase. It also said that money should be spent on other enforcement measures to stop crime before the need for CCT.

 

However, Ipswich Borough Council begged to differ saying CCTV cameras have helped the police identify suspects, witnesses and vehicles used in crime. It added that the technology helps keep Suffolk safe and conclude many investigations and secure convictions.

 

A spokesman said: “Suffolk Constabulary is mindful of the freedom of citizens to go about their daily business without being subject to intrusive surveillance.

 

“The force will only use surveillance, including images derived there from, providing it is lawful, properly authorised, proportionate in achieving its aim and deployed in the least intrusive way.”

 

The spokesman added: “Its value in keeping Ipswich safer, particularly at night, is well documented, and cameras have provided evidence for use in hundreds of court cases,”