Manningtree: Successful CCTV taken down (From Harwich and Manningtree Standard)

Manningtree: Successful CCTV taken down

11:40am Friday 5th February 2010

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SCRAPPING successful CCTV at a yob hot-spot has been branded “ridiculous”.

Mistley Police said in November they hoped the temporary camera in Market Square would act as a deterrant and anyone caught behaving inappropriately would be dealt with.

But despite reportedly wiping out bad behaviour just weeks after it was installed, crime reduction officers have now taking the camera down with the support of police.

The news has left residents frustrated.

Businessman, Phil Lucas, who cleans the pond in market square, said: “It’s ridiculous.

“Since it has been taken down there’s more trouble again.

“When it’s there it really works. There’s no yobs hanging around.”

He added: “Now there are youths getting lippy with people, throwing litter everywhere and people are even going in the pond again.

“I personally want the camera back.”

Ray Streames, of Railway Street, said: “There was a huge great gang of youths by the bus stop near the market square creating merry hell the other night.

“There must have been at least 20 of them shouting.

“Everyone seems to think the camera did help while it was up there and many people didn’t want it to go.

“But I suppose if it was always a temporary measure we can’t really complain. If it gets bad again maybe they will put it back up.”

Residents reported late last year how they were scared to go near the market square after dark because groups of up to 40 were gathering for fights.

And it was thought many came into the area from Colchester.

But Richard Tuck, of The Walls, Mistley, said: “I’m very pleased it’s gone.

“What we want is more police patrolling the streets, not cameras.

“All they do is move the problem on to another area. They don’t solve anything.”

PCSO Hayley Howe, of Mistley Police, said: “The CCTV camera was always a temporary measure and, since it was installed at the beginning of November last year, it has had a really good effect on the area.

“The camera has been removed because we feel that it has led to a decrease in the number of nuisance youths congregating there. We will continue to monitor the area to make sure that there are no further problems.”

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