News from Westminster Labour

Westminster Tories soft on crime as axe falls on two mobile CCTV vans

Labour Councillors have condemned Westminster Conservatives’ decision to save £20,000 by axing two mobile CCTV vans. Labour Councillors say that the two CCTV vans are not being replaced and that the axing of these two vital vehicles will reduce the Council’s ability to fight crime and disorder.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group said:

“Mobile CCTV cameras have proved a very useful tool in fighting crime in Westminster. For example, the CCTV vans have been very helpful when it comes to responding to sudden flare-ups, such as when there is a need to disperse concentrations of people who may be gathering prior to trouble, or when there is a crime or anti-social hotspot identified.”

Karen Buck MP said:

“We neither want, nor can have, fixed cameras everywhere, and we may also not want to disperse young people, perhaps at the end of a school day, in a heavy handed way. The presence of a CCTV van can, however, help ensure peaceful dispersal without the necessity of heavy enforcement powers being needed.”