CCTVs donated to tackle flytipping don’t work or are about to conk out

Two of the second-hand surveillance cameras which were donated to tackle flytipping in Gloucester are broken and the others are not being used full-time over fears they will also conk out.

Gloucestershire Constabulary gave Gloucester City Council some CCTV cameras which were recently decommissioned by the force.

The council took them on in the hope they could be used to tackle the problem of fly tipping in the city.

However, officers have since tested them and found that two out of the ten cameras do not work.

Cllr Usman Bhaimia (L, Barton and Tredworth) asked council leaders at a meeting on January 26 what was the point of having the cameras if they don’t work.

Council leader Richard Cook (C, Kingsway) told those present at North Warehouse that they are using the eight cameras that do work to surveil areas that are fly tipping hotspots.

But they are not using them full time as there is a high chance they will “break down”, he said.

“This is because they are second hand already. We are just using them for additional surveillance in areas where flytipping is common,” Cllr Cook said.

“We have the cameras in our possession and eight out of the ten offered by the police are in working order and, subject to the usual testing prior to deployment, are now available to be used.

“It has been agreed by the council and police that the cameras will only be used to gather further evidence for on-going investigations, as opposed to being deployed to capture new potential offenders or offences being committed.

“This is because the cameras have been in service/use by the police for several years and we need to extend and maximise their working life.”

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk