THE CCTV DEBATE

THE CCTV debate has been raging over the past decade, and shows no signs of dying down. Now, new research from Jabbakam has found that 62% of the general public perceive that CCTV is an effective tool in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour, while only 1% of people see it as ineffective and a waste of money.

Britain has more CCTV cameras per capita than any other European country. Yet figures released in July 2009 by the European Commission and the United Nations showed that Britain’s recorded rate of violent crime surpassed that of any other country in Europe. According to Peter fry, Director of the CCTV User Group CCTV cameras will cost local councils on average £30,000 per camera to install – often down to control room costs. The question is, are these costs justified?

The message seems to be that CCTV is a great technology that should yield more and better results but is hampered by its implementation. The recent ‘cat in the wheelie bin’ incident is a good example of how efficiently social networkers are communicating online. The combination of IP cameras and social networks is the next step towards making a good technology far more acceptable and effective.

Further research goes on to find that a quarter of Brits (24%) believe the best way of preventing CCTV from invading privacy is to place it in the hands of the people in communities. Clearly the public would be far more comfortable with camera surveillance if their monitoring was on an exception basis and carried out by the community itself; and CCTV could be far more effective in preventing crime if it were lower cost and more widely implemented, on a network basis with responsibility for its use being placed in the hands of the community.

Jabbakam has produced a white paper looking into the governments drive to create a Big Society and the role of traditional CCTV.

A link to the full white paper can be viewed by clicking on this link.

The abridged version can be viewed by clicking on this link.

LIGHT UP LIVERPOOL FOR CANCER RESEARCH

LOCAL charity Clatterbridge Cancer Research is inviting the people of Liverpool for an evening of nocturnal enchantment as it holds its first Midnight Candle Walk on Friday, 12 November 2010. Registration will take place at 11.30pm with the walk starting at the stroke of midnight. The charity hopes to see hundreds of families and individuals turn out for a spellbinding five-mile stroll around Sefton Park in Liverpool to raise money for cancer research. Individuals as well as groups of families and friends are welcome to take part and participants are encouraged to don fancy dress to add some theatrical sparkle to their after-hours walk. Samantha Archibald, Event Organiser for the charity says:- “We are so excited about our first Midnight Candle Walk. It promises to be a magical night to remember and we can’t wait to see lots of people get dressed up and join in. How often do you get to help find a cure for cancer while the rest of the world sleeps?”  The registration fee is £10 and includes an electronic candle. Theatricality and creativity will be encouraged on the night as there will be prizes for the highest fundraiser and best fancy dress costume. Free T-shirts will be awarded to anyone who raises £50 or more in sponsorship and there will also be goody bags for anyone who organises a group of ten or more people.  Dog walkers are also encouraged to take part – the more the merrier!  Pre-registration is required for this unique and unforgettable evening. To register please visit:- midnightcandlewalk.org or call Sam at Clatterbridge Cancer Research on:- 0151 343 4300.   Clatterbridge Cancer Research, based in the Liverpool Cancer Research Centre and Bromborough on the Wirral, funds research into the genetic aspects of cancer and it relies solely on the generosity of the public in order to develop more effective, personalised treatments for cancer patients in the region.

DRUGS WARRANTS - LIVERPOOL NORTH

MERSEYSIDE Police Officers in Liverpool North have arrested 5 in a people in a day of action on 6 October 2010.

OIfficers executed warrants in the Norris Green, Croxteth and Old Swan area following community information.

The following were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and they remain in police custody where they will be questioned.

A 26 year old man from the Norris Green area
A 37 year old man from the Croxteth area
A 31 year old woman from the Old Swan area
An 18 year old man from the Norris Green area

Chief Inspector Mark Wiggins said:- "We have listened to the concerns of the local residents and we are working to address them. We hope that this day will show residents that if they give us information, we will act on it. We understand that issues such as drug dealing, can have a profound effect on people's day to day lives and we hope this today will go some way to disrupting this type of behaviour in the area. We cannot tackle such issues alone, and we are thankful to our partner agencies for their support."

Anyone with any information about crime in their neighbourhood, should contact their local neighbourhood team or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.

3 TEENAGERS GET ASBOS FOR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR IN NORRIS GREEN

3 teenagers have been banned from parts of Norris Green after receiving ASBOs for threatening and criminal behaviour.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders have been issued to Thomas Crawford, 17, of Norris Green, Scott McGuiness, 14 of Tuebrook and Declan Kilbride, 15, who is from Huyton.

The orders were handed out at Liverpool Magistrates Court following evidence from the police, Liverpool city council and local residents.

The court heard the three youths were involved in incidents of disorderly behaviour, threatening behaviour, assault, unauthorised taking of motor vehicles and damage to vehicles.

They have now been barred from entering the following arts of Norris Green:-

► The area bounded by Utting Avenue East, Lorenzo Drive, Broad Lane, Muirhead Avenue East, Dwerryhouse Lane and Lowerhouse Lane. Declan Kilbride has been provided with a route to visit a relative in this area.

► The area known as the Strand shops, including the delivery access roads, at the junction of Scargreen Avenue and Utting Avenue East.

► The area of Lowerhouse Lane between Storrington Avenue and Carr Lane East.. This also includes the Western Approaches pub, the Post Office, bookmakers, Farmfoods, Marmaris takeaway. Molyneux Court and Cobalt Housing.

They are also not permitted to be with each other or several named persons in a public place in the city of Liverpool and they must not behave in a manner that causes harassment, alarm or distress within Liverpool 11.

The orders last until 24 September 2012.

Sgt Dave Bethom from Liverpool's Anti Social Behaviour Unit said:- "We've been working on these orders since July and the help of the local community has been key. Local people say these youths have not been seen in these areas since initial proceedings began and this should now continue for a further two years."