Loughborough CCTV First
Posted on February 6, 2008, 3:25 pm
P. Klein
STATE-of-the-art technology is being used by Charnwood Borough Council’s Street Wardens in their fight against environmental crimes in Loughborough and the rest of Charnwood.
The Council is the first in the East Midlands to provide its team of 18 wardens with body-worn CCTV cameras so they can record footage of incidents taking place.
Cameras are fixed to jackets and they will be used to help gather evidence which can be presented and used in court. Importantly it will also offer increased protection to both the public and wardens.
Kevin Biddulph,Charnwood BoroughCouncil’s Head of Street Management, said the simple-to-use CCTV was not another case of watching people in a ‘Big Brother’ style.
He added: “We would like to reassure people that the cameras will not be in constant use but are designed to collect vital evidence when required.
“They give the wardens increased self confidence as they know that if anything was to happen, they can record it.”
Recorded images can be viewed on a handheld monitor carried by the wardens or downloaded onto a computer for later review and use.
The systems are similar to the ones worn by police officers across the country.
Scott, one of Charnwood’s Street Wardens, said:“The cameras will help all aspects of our job.
“They will benefit the public as well. The footage is very clear.”
Cllr Mike Preston, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Environment, said the cameras would be a key weapon in tackling environmental crimes.
“This is just another tool in our armour in ensuring that our Street Wardens can tackle environmental crimes head on and provide substantial and supportive evidence for court cases,” he added.
“It sends out a strong, clear message to those that commit environmental crimes that we are serious in catching the belligerent minority.”
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