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Talking Cctv Idea Dismissed
By One Local Council
Mark Chandler
Newsshopper
Tuesday April 10, 2007
NEW talking CCTV cameras will not be coming to the area and have
been dismissed as a "gimmick" by a council leader.
The cameras issue verbal warnings from their operator to people
dropping litter or committing anti-social behaviour.
A scheme has been tested in Middlesbrough and the Home Office is
planning to roll them out across 20 more areas.
However, there are currently no plans to introduce the equipment
into Dartford or Gravesham.
Leader of Dartford Council, Councillor Jeremy Kite, said: "We
don't tend to go for gimmicks, we go for enforcement.
"CCTV is a really good device but without people on the streets,
it does not work."
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He says the council is trying to put more officers on the street
instead.
Cllr Kite said: "I don't think it should be necessary for
people to be talked at by a camera.
"The novelty will soon wear off if people realise it's not
backed up with arrests."
Councillor John Burden, leader of Gravesham Council, says he is
not looking to install the new cameras either.
He said: "We are trying to educate people not to act in this
way in the first place."
Mr Burden says the council will continue installing old-style CCTV
cameras and are relying on wardens to cut down on anti-social behaviour.
Brian Qualey, vice-chairman of Temple Hill Residents' Assocation,
says the current cameras in his area have little effect on those
who behave anti-socially.
He said: "The troublemakers know where the cameras are and
they avoid them."
Mr Qualey says the problems in Temple Hill have a lot to do with
lack of community spirit and cannot be solved by such measures.
However, he dismisses criticism people should be worried about
a Big Brother' society.
He said: "The only people who have got problems are those
who are doing things they shouldn't be."
Nearly three quarters of News Shopper readers would be in favour
of 'talking' CCTV cameras.
In an online poll, 71 per cent of people were in favour of the
idea, with just 29 per cent againat.
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