SOUTH WOODFORD: Council's motives for new CCTV questioned

2:00pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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A NEW wave of CCTV cameras are set to sweep over Redbridge with 11 lined up for South Woodford alone.

In a report published last week Redbridge Council announced proposals for dozens of new CCTV devices across the borough over the next few years.

The 11 for South Woodford would cover George Lane and the High Road which is the largest retail area of the borough without CCTV coverage.

However the plans have been attacked by businesses, who claim the real reason for the cameras is to make extra money for the council by catching out motorists who park illegally.

South Woodford Business Partnership chairman Kerk Davies said: "We are not sure about the motives of the local authority.

"There is a concern about how CCTV will be used, especially the question of whether they will be used to look at parking."

Cllr Richard Hoskins, chairman of the council's CCTV scrutiny committee, said the council leadership could well use them as an extra source of revenue.

He said: "Parking raises enormous amounts of money, and they are already milking parking in Redbridge."

But he said that he would welcome the cameras in the area if they were used to fight crime, adding: "The level of crime in George Lane is relatively low but if there was CCTV the shopkeepers and shoppers would be much more relaxed.

"Next year's budget has already been decided, which is a problem because George Lane remains exposed. I want to them come in as soon as possible."

A council spokeswoman said: "The primary reason for the introduction of CCTV cameras across the Borough is to give a feeling of security, enhance community safety and help to reduce crime."

However, she added: "In addition to this, from July 2008 we will be using CCTV systems to enforce parking restrictions and to identify moving traffic offences, such as people driving in bus lanes and illegal turns."

Emma Madeley, a dispenser at Allen's Pharmacy, said: "It is a shame that the council thinks that we actually need it but none of us are particularly upset by the idea of it. We have nothing to hide."

She added: "I don't think crime is that bad here. I can understand them having it near the station as there are a few problems there."