LEYTONSTONE: CCTV to be installed on sex attack bridge (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LEYTONSTONE: CCTV to be installed on sex attack bridge

5:15pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Waltham Forest News By Daniel Binns

THE family of a rape victim have succeeded in their campaign to get CCTV installed on the footbridge where she was attacked.

The 24-year-old victim, who cannot be named, was targetted as she walked on the bridge over the A12 between Norman Road and Dyers Hall in Leytonstone a year ago this month.

Police initially hoped to catch the man responsible using CCTV footage but it emerged there were no cameras covering the area, which is a known crime hotspot.

The rapist remains at large.

Transport for London (TfL), which maintains the bridge, originally told the woman's family it would not be cost effective to install cameras, despite subsequent reports of further sex attacks.

But transport bosses have changed their minds following the family's criticism of TfL’s stance and pressure from London Assembly member Jennette Arnold.

The victim's father, 52, has been told by TfL that Waltham Forest Council is in the process of installing the cameras and that they will become operational by the end of March, following other improvement works at the site.

He said: "Given that TfL's original position in response to our approaches was that the installation of CCTV was ‘not felt to be a cost effective and appropriate crime prevention measure for this location', we are pleased that they have changed their position and agreed to our demands.

"We are particularly grateful for Jennette's support and determination in helping us achieve our goal. "We are pleased that the improvements to the bridge and the installation of CCTV will make the bridge a safer pedestrian route for others, even though it is too late for our daughter."

He added that the family had been invited to view the cameras, which will be monitored by the council, once they become operational.

Ms Arnold said: "I absolutely commend the family for calling the organisations responsible for our safety in London to account.

"Because of their bravery and tenacity, in the face of appalling circumstances, they have made Leytonstone a safer place for the whole community."

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