Portsmouth CCTV Removed Ahead Stabbing

Portsmouth City Council removes CCTV camera near a park in the weeks before a police officer was stabbed.

23:24 05 March 2019

CCTV cameras near Portsmouth Park were installed last year after residents raised concerns about drug dealing in Stamshaw. The cameras were removed just weeks before a police officer, who was responding to a call about drug dealing, was stabbed in the back. The officer is now in a stable condition but remains in the hospital. 

 

Councillor Darren Sanders, cabinet member for housing at Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘Three temporary CCTV cameras were set up last year at this location after reports of drug activity.

 

‘The issue died down and the cameras were moved to another area where they were needed.

 

‘After discussions with police we will now install CCTV permanently, to reassure local people, and have reopened the adventure playground.’

 

He added: ‘This was a terribly shocking incident for residents, our police colleagues and our staff.

 

‘Our thoughts are especially with the officer who was hurt, of course, and his loved ones. We're particularly proud of our staff, who responded superbly.

 

‘We would like to reassure residents that we and Hampshire Constabulary work very hard on protecting our community from crime. Incidents like this are not common in Portsmouth.’