Clippings (Feb-Mar 1997)Clippings (Feb-Mar 1997)by Olwen Vasey, Telegraph & Argus, 3 February 1997
A 1000 member social club is asking Bradford Council to halt its city centre closed circuit television project.
The 1 in 12 Club, a non-political group formed in 1981 for unemployed people and those on low incomes, wants public consultation before the scheme is extended.
Members of the club in Albion Street, Bradford, say peoples views have never been discussed and they want the council to hold a public meeting.
But today the chairman of the council's community safety sub committee, Councillor Jack Womersley, said he had received no other complaints about the system which has made huge inroads into crime.
He said the council planned to upgrade the scheme this year to give the cameras better scope.
"It has been here for six years and has been extended and extended. It has been to committee after committee and there has been plenty of opportunity for people to object."
But Club spokesman Anthony Taylor said: "Once cameras go up they will never come down. There is currently no legal constraints at all on CCTV. The blanket coverage of our public space has huge implications for us all."
Member Matt Hannam said the group had given leaflets to councillors, pressing for information about the scheme to be made public.
"We want to know how the scheme is being monitored and by whom and what happens to the films."
But Councillor Womersley said more than 200 offenders had been brought to court since the cameras were first installed.
By Helen Mead, T&A reporter. February 25, 1997
Trades Union officials in Bradford have called for an investigation into the effectiveness of Spy cameras, following plans to install more across the district. Bradford Trades Union Council believes the decision by Bradford Council to add a further 20 CCTV cameras to the 60 it already has in place should be justified with solid evidence as to whether they work in solving crime.
But both Bradford council and the police said that the cameras have served their purpose with 200 arrests across the district since they were put up in place 5 years ago. And, they say, the cameras main function is to prevent crime and in that sense their effectiveness is hard to measure.
At a meeting in Bradford district TUC secretary Mike Quiggin said: "Although many people welcome the cameras as a means of solving crime, their remain many unanswered questions as to their effectiveness." He said the new, high-tech cameras in Bingley had yet to claim their first conviction after more than a year in operation. He added "Now would seem to be the best opportunity to investigate these matters. It's really down to those who advocate these cameras to back up their claims with evidence."
But Councillor Jack Womersley, chairman of the councils Community Safety sub-cttee, said the main purpose of the cameras was to make sure the fear of crime was addressed. "It is not actually there to catch criminals. It is a deterrent to make people feel that they can use an area safely." He said Bradford is registered as having one of the safest city centres in the country.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "It is difficult to measure how many times a camera may have prevented a crime. CCTV isn't a crime solution, it's a deterrent. It's like having a night watchman. He may not catch any criminals, but you cannot say he's not doing a good job."
MORE CCTV PLEASE
Letters, T&A, March 7, 1977
SIR - May I ask what Mike Quiggin and the TUC officials are afraid of from the use of CCTV? Law-abiding people feel very assured knowing these cameras exist, and the city centre should have more, not less.
D Cawood, Highfield Road, Five Lane Ends, Bradford.
On 10th December 1996 Bradford Council approved a consultation draft of its first Community Plan and issued a reply-paid questionnaire to every household in the district. 4213 responses were received with comments on the 5 priorities of the plan. On March 4, 1997, the council issued a report summary of the findings.
Within the "Fighting Crime for a safer District" priority, there was strong support for putting more Police on the streets and for improving the standard of streetlighting. Many people also supported extending Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), though many others opposed it. Many people said tougher sentencing to deter criminals is needed, and many also said the causes of crime need to be tackled, particularly drug addiction.
Approximately 40% of those who responded were opposed to CCTV against 60% in support.
by Greg Wright, Aire Valley Target, 6 March 1997
Security cameras will be up and running in Shipley before the end of the year, it was announced today. The news comes amid celebrations after the Home Office decided to give the town a slice of the £15 million available for CCTV schemes nationally.
Campaigners were hoping the Government would give them £65,000 - half the cost of the £130,000 system. But they will get £58,500, which means they will have to find £6,500 locally.
The announcement is the culmination of a concerted drive by the police, councillors and trade organisations to get financial support from local businesses, Bradford Council and Metro. The five high-definition, colour cameras will be installed to cover the Market Square, Wellcroft and Fox's Corner areas of the town and should be working within eight months, with the pictures being monitored by council staff in Keighley.
Councillor Tony Miller (Lab Shipley East) said: "We are disappointed we didn't get the full 50 per cent of the cost but we are delighted we have got what we have. We now have two options. We can pursue the shortfall very vigorously - and we would anticipate from the support we have had already that it shouldn't be a problem finding the extra money - or, if all our efforts fail, we will have to modify the scheme."
Town police inspector Nigel Cawthorne said he was "delighted" with the decision. "It will be of great benefit to everyone who uses Shipley centre by addressing the fear of crime and crime itself," he said. "We will expect to see the significant reduction in crime that was experienced in Bingley after CCTV was introduced."
Newsagent Eric Hudson, who is also vice-president of the Bradford Chamber of Trade, said: "I think it is very welcome news. It will make the town centre safer for the businesses and for the public."
by Nick Oldham, T&A, March 6, 1977
Shoppers in Shipley have given a mixed reaction to news that the town's £130,000 closed circuit TV plan is to go ahead.
The scheme, which will see crime-busting cameras in the Market Square, Well Croft, Fox's Corner and New Kirkgate, will receive £58,500 from the Home Office after a campaign by local police, traders and councillors. But some people in the town centre hours after the announcement yesterday were sceptical about the system reducing the fear of crime.
Freda Whitaker, said it would make little difference, and added: "Shipley is dead now anyway because of pedestrianisation. The problem which is keeping people away isn't crime or security - it's pedestrianisation," said the 62-year-old from Cliffe Lane South, Baildon.
Mrs Angela Norris, who has just moved from Shipley to Gilstead, said: "I don't think it will bring people back in to Shipley because they have killed it with pedestrianisation anyway. I have to think twice about coming in because you can't just drive in anymore."
Arthur Grange of Hoyle Court Avenue, Baildon, though the money should be spent on providing more officers on the beat. "It will be an improvement on the present situation but if you think seriously about it it's the wrong approach. They would be less likely to do anything if there were police officers walking around."
His wife Joan felt the same and she added: "I think better things could be done with the money. But I would feel safer during the day and I think during the night if I did come into town."
The scheme won the approval of Windhill resident Debbie Ballantyre who said: "I think it's a good idea - it will probably stop the kids hanging about and I think I would fell better if there were cameras there."
Shopkeepers have given the scheme strong backing as a way of protecting their property, staff and customers.
Sheila Metcalfe, sales assistant at the Global Video shop, which stays open until 10 pm, said: "I think it's a brilliant idea. I have got increasingly worried at night after I was here at about 9.45 pm one day and someone was mugged just round the corner."
And Carrie Whelan from Victoria Wines agreed, adding: "We only open until 7 pm but it's still lonely between 5 pm and then."
by Richard Sutcliffe, T&A, March 17 1997
Crime has been slashed in Bingley town centre since the introduction of spy-in-the-sky security cameras, police revealed today.
Figures show that, since the £80,000 cameras were installed in January 1996, vandalism and burglary have fallen by more than half in the town centre. And, so far this year, there have been only four incidents.
The news has been welcomed by town centre traders and other groups, who are delighted at the fall in crime.
Last month Bingley's town centre suffered no incidents at all - only the second time this has happened since records began. And, despite some instances of smashed windows this month, police are hoping the offenders have been caught on camera.
Before the cameras were installed Bingley's shops were regularly targeted by vandals and burglars. In 1995 there were 95 reported instances in the town centre. However, during 1996, when the cameras were in operation, the figure fell to 42. And, in 1997, there have been just four instances of burglary and vandalism. In the same period in 1995 there had been 18.
Inspector Jim Hancox, of Bingley police, welcomed the impact of the cameras. He said: "I am delighted with the system, as it is preventing people causing problems. Bingley's problem was always shop windows being smashed, and our aim has always been to reduce that. The fact this is happening is superb news for everyone in the town, not just traders. Only one incident in the town centre during the whole of January and February was very pleasing."
Inspector Hancox believes the cameras act as a great deterrent to would-be troublemakers. And the recent installation of signs on the approach roads to Bingley, warning motorists that CCTV cameras are in operation, would act as a further deterrent, he said.
He added: "The system is not just used to catch people. If people know cameras are operating here they won't cause a problem. There has been a spate of armed robberies in the force area recently. I believe these people will not go somewhere where they know cameras will catch them on film."
Bingley Traders Against Crime chairman, Philip Smith, said: "I am delighted for the town centre. I think it is absolutely brilliant. I don't think people know how difficult it is to run a business plagued by vandalism. All the profits go out of the window. You can't question the value of CCTV in Bingley. It is working tremendously."
Graham Hinkley, manager of Ladbrokes in the Myrtle walk shopping centre, said: "It is fantastic news. I am fully behind anything which benefits the shopkeepers. Long may it continue."
Inspector Nigel Cawthorne, of Shipley police, said: "I just hope Bingley's success will be mirrored in Shipley when we get the new system, and I'm sure it will be."
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 Jan 10 14 8 4 1 Feb 2 1 4 4 0 Mar 4 9 6 8 Apr 18 3 17 1 May 6 4 10 3 Jun 4 4 15 5 Jul 2 5 8 4 Aug 4 2 3 1 Sep 10 2 4 1 Oct 6 9 9 0 Nov 4 8 6 4 Dec 12 4 5 7 Total 82 65 95 42 1
Compiled and issued by Inspector J A Hancox, Bingley police, March 1997.
"Further to our telephone conversation and your letters in relation to CCTV statistics, I would like to give you the following outline before coming onto the statistics.
"The figures that I provide you with relate only to Bingley Town centre and in no way can be related to Keighley.
"I was posted to Bingley in December 1993, and on arrival it was clear to me that the town centre was subject to vast amounts of damage by way of shop windows being broken. In the period of December 1993 to January 1994 there were 26 instances of damage. The local traders were quite rightly up in arms.
"The damage continued month by month despite numerous different policing approaches. The traders, the police and Bradford Council worked together, and the result was to obtain CCTV in the town centre.
"The initial system was put in place in a very limited form in December 1995 and has been enhanced since then. There was some displacement of crime into the local shopping centre until a private system was introduced there.
"Originally I did intend to provide you with some statistics in relation to vehicle crime, however in view of the way in which these figures are obtained and the areas they cover, I do not think these are valid. I will gladly discuss this with you if necessary.
"The following figures are therefore supplied for your information, I hope you find them of some benefit to you."
by Sarah Walsh, T&A, 19/3/97
Security cameras in Bingley town centre have pushed vandals out to Myrtle Park, it was claimed today.
Members of the two bowling clubs in the park have been plagued by a series of vandal attacks.
Club leaders want to raise awareness of the problem amongst parents in the hope they can exert some control over their children.
They are speaking out in the wake of Monday's front page report in the Telegraph & Argus which revealed how the cameras had halved burglaries and vandalism in the town centre.
"It's fair enough they have stopped the crime on the streets of Bingley, but they should stop it in the park as well," said a furious Eric Brunton, secretary of the Bingley Glen Bowling Club. "The police have been told a few times about the damage we have had. We have had glass bottles smashed, condoms and God knows what. You can do without it."
The two clubs - Bingley Glen Bowling Club and Myrtle Park Bowling Club - have both suffered damage including:
As both clubs gear up for the start of the season on April 14, they fear further damage to facilities. "Our green was damaged last year and the council has re-turfed the area, and we're hoping it's going to be good, but you can't rely on it because of these mindless vandals," Mr Brunton added. "We all seem to think it's got worse since the cameras were put in, although the kids have always been there."
Inspector Jim Hancox, of Bingley police, said: "I will have a look at the problem and, if necessary, put some officers on to it."
by Sarah Walsh, T&A, 21/3/97
A row has blown up over the effectiveness of Bingley's £80,000 security cameras.
The Telegraph & Argus reported on Monday how certain types of crimes - vandalism and burglary from shop premises - appeared to have halved in the town centre since the cameras were introduced last year. Police inspector, Jim Hancox says he is delighted with the way the cameras have helped tackle the problem of repeated vandal attacks, which devastated some traders. A total of 95 incidents in 1995 was cut to just 42 in 1996.
But the figures have come under fire from members of the 1 in 12 Club, a non-political Bradford city centre members' club, which is campaigning to stop Bradford Council investing any more taxpayers' money in such systems.
Members are sceptical about how useful the cameras are in cutting crime and point out that the Keighley and Bingley system has failed to convict a single criminal since it was launched in January 1996.
"Claims that CCTV has halved crime in Bingley are misleading," said 1 in 12 spokesman Anthony Taylor. "Producing highly selective figures like this proves nothing. Burglaries in Shipley town centre also dropped by 50 per cent over this period, although Shipley has no CCTV cameras yet. The claim that the fall is due to the cameras clearly cannot be justified. Specific crimes in specific places vary from year to year for numerous reasons."
The 1 in 12 Club is calling for a proper statistical survey of the cameras' impact before Bradford Council spends any more on CCTV - the authority has already invested £1.5 million.
Inspector Hancox, of Bingley police, said: "I don't want to argue over statistics because I am a police officer, not a statistician. As far as I am concerned the cameras have been a great success - they were brought in to deal with the specific problem of shop windows being broken. Some of the shop premises in Bingley were getting their windows smashed time and time again - we tried everything, extra patrols, observations, but the only thing that has worked has been the CCTV cameras.
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