Neighbourhood watch scheme proposed as CCTV proves ineffective
At their monthly meeting on Thursday 19th March 2009, Newcastle Emlyn town councillors heard that the much heralded Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) project begun in 2007 had run into technical problems and that it had been ineffective in curbing anti-social behaviour by youths in the town.
In a private meeting held with the police before the council meeting councillors heard that there were serious problems with the CCTV system. The CCTV installation contractor is not taking or returning any calls. A police technical advisor has agreed to reset the cameras.
Because of the “escalating problems with youths in Newcastle Emlyn” the police presence in the town is to be increased. A new neighbourhood watch scheme is being set up covering the park, car park and surrounding area; the police are looking for co-coordinators to cover other areas.
Sergeant Sion Richards has moved office back to Newcastle Emlyn and is to take a hard line with the towns problems.
last night (thursday) sounded like a riot, for hours, from mid-evening onwards. i assume seargeant richards wasn’t here…
i would like to suggest a phone-in to the police from residents when (not if) this happens again
the number to use is 0845 330 2000
i have reported disturbances several times, but if it’s just me it’s ineffective. the police have to respond, but it will soon be a case of ‘not her again’
my phone no is 01239 710221
i will talk to anyone who wants to join me in reporting bad behaviour in the street, but i am not often in n.emlyn at weekends, when most of the trouble happens
to me, part of being a responsible adult is caring for the young and setting boundaries, and it makes me sad that the older kids have nothing to do but get drunk and destroy their livers. i am actively involved in working for more youth facilities and activities, and i am extremely concerned that we seem to have a whole generation that is lost, and alienated, and without adult guidance.
please give a damn…
i’m delighted to be wrong about a riot on thursday (see above) it was a school event apparently…so that’s alright then
however, there was arson and mayhem at the weekend, so the problem remains
please pick up the phone if you hear trouble happening
the number for the police again: 0845 330 2000
Its interesting to re-reading the original concerns regarding the CCTV.
Link to the original posts:
http://www.newcastle-emlyn.com/cctv-common-sense-or-hot-fuzz
How it might have been better to put the £25000 in a fund at 6-7% (the rate at the time) with additional annual subs to pay for the odd Window / Door that gets smashed.
I think £2000 would have been a great help to the Art shop and Spar, had we gone that route. Instead we rely on technology installed with no money allocated to its maintenance – Instead of relying on the community to pull together to help solve issues.
There will always be someone drunk/upset at a breakdown of their relationship, an opportunist thief (generally looking for an easy target) Doors get kicked/damaged. If they are drunk/angry do they really care if there is a camera looking down on you – probably not.
The only working camera it seems is the one issuing fines for fly-tipping the recycling in the car park @ £75 fixed penalty, for leaving the bottles because the Council hadn’t emptied the containers. Funny how they have been turned on the ‘law-abiding’ citizen to justify their cost.
Glad whoever wanted this camera system is happy with their purchase.
And even the Met are now admitting they’re a waste of money, with only one crime solved for every 1,000 cameras. Guess we’ll have to buy some more then?!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8219022.stm