Electronic eye on wreckers

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Wednesday 26th May 2004.

Young vandals causing havoc for businesses in a Bradford village have been warned they face police action following the introduction of security cameras outside shops.

CCTV cameras have been installed on the walls of shops on The Parade, Cottingley, to stop gatherings of youngsters causing a nuisance.

And owners of all the businesses on the road - about a dozen in all - have signed up to a business watch to report any incidents to police and warn each other of any anti-social behaviour.

In the past few months, shop owners and people living in the village have told police about graffiti and nuisance behaviour, including youths not allowing customers to enter shops and throwing missiles.

The cameras have been installed to tackle the problem and have been bought after Cottingley Community Association was awarded a joint grant of £7,456 by the Shipley Area Committee and Shipley Anti-Crime Partnership.

Today Howard Clough, chairman of Cottingley Community Association, said: "Business owners have been wanting the cameras for about 12 months because they were concerned about security at their shops and people hanging about and messing about.

"After the grant was made the cash was a bit short so the shopkeepers signed up for the business watch and all chipped in to make up the shortfall.

"They have held a meeting of the watch and there will be further meetings to discuss incidents and any problems."

Mr Clough said youngsters had complained that the cameras had invaded their privacy.

But he said: "If it works it is worth it. If a person is being a real nuisance his or her name will be put up in all the shops and they will be banned from entering any of them.

"We are hoping to spread the ban to the garages and pubs in the area to really get the message across."

Four cameras are housed on shops on each side of The Parade with a monitor set up in a business on each side to view and record any disturbances.

Alvina Alam, owner of A A News and Mini Market on The Parade, said: "The youngsters are just hanging around and destroying things.

"There is a pay phone outside this shop and they paint graffiti on it and smash its windows. They won't let customers inside the shop. But since the cameras have gone up it has quietened down and hopefully they will help in the future."

Community Sergeant Esther Hobbs, of Keighley police, applauded the business owners for their actions. She said: "It's really commendable that these people have put themselves out to do this.

"Cameras can be used to deter anti-social behaviour and they will certainly hold any evidence we need to be aware of and we will take action."

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