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Permalink Reply by Irena Rybinska on June 4, 2015 at 22:51

Appreciate the update.

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Permalink Reply by Irena Rybinska on June 4, 2015 at 22:57

I have noticed that specific areas within Bowes Park /Bounds Green have CCTV whereas others do not. We have experienced several burglaries on our road yet no CCTV has ever been installed. Are you able to advise please.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Sergeant Roberto Vacca MPS on June 5, 2015 at 20:37

Thank you for your reply Irena.

The camera used in the prevention and detection of crime that you refer to, generally have their location decided by the local council. Of course, there is consultation with police prior to these cameras being placed in their respective locations.  Without knowing where you live, it is hard for me to say why there are not cameras on your road, whilst there are on others.

Plainly speaking, there is the cost implications to consider (both material costs and staffing costs) in terms of reviewing footage and maintaining cameras, and therefore, consideration must be given to the proportionality of placing a camera at a location, balanced with the extent of the problem there.

I believe CCTV is a useful tool; however, I'm not convinced personally (my opinion) that it does enough to disuade prospective offenders (if it did, then we would not be circulating as many images as we currently do). It may displace some offenders, but sadly/rightly, we cannot have cctv on every street corner. Images- particularly at night are not always suitable for circulation. Unless there is a clear facial image of the suspect, it is unlikely that he/she will be identified. Even if they are identified from a poor image, it is unlikely to hold up in court.

If you would like to contact me directly at roberto.vacca@met.police.uk I would be happy to discuss crime prevention advice with you, and make your road one of the first on the borough to receive SMART WATER: a property marking kit, which may not sound exciting, but is brand new technology which enables you to invisibly mark your belongings with a code, which is then registered online). The kit comes with a sticker to place in your front window to disuade criminals from breaking into your property.

Kind regards

Rob

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Permalink Reply by VGB on June 6, 2015 at 16:58

Thanks for the update and good news about plans to increase patrols in the area. Just walked down Northbrook Rd (at the corner of Whittington) and there's a used syringe in the street. I'm about to email the council to report as hazardous litter but clearly if there's using going on out in the open then it needs to be stamped out sooner rather than later.

   

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