CCTV TO BE INSTALLED TO TACKLE VANDALISM AT SYCAMORE COURT FLATS (GOLCAR) (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

CCTV TO BE INSTALLED TO TACKLE VANDALISM AT SYCAMORE COURT FLATS (GOLCAR)

July 16, 2008 2:59 PM

Colne Valley Area Committee has agreed to part fund the installation of CCTV equipment at Sycamore Court in Golcar to help reduce anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

The cameras will be set up to the front and rear of the complex providing a complete overview of the front parade and rear access roads. The Area Committee and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing will jointly fund the installation.

There have been significant incidents with lobbies being broken in to, damage to doors, threats to residents and daubing graffiti on the walls all affecting residents and shopkeepers at Sycamore Court.

A number of actions have been taken to improve the situation including, the fitting of stronger locks and doors, increased patrols by the Neighbourhood Policing team and the fitting of temporary CCTV cameras.

The Area Committee - with the backing of KNH, the Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Tenants and Residents Association and other concerned parties - are now paying for permanent CCTV equipment to attempt to provide a long-term solution to the problems.

Cllr Nicola Turner, Chair of the Lib Dem run Area Committee, says:

"Residents and the shopkeepers at Sycamore Court should be able to go about their business with complete confidence that they are both safe and secure. Those members of the community who have caused this problem should feel ashamed of themselves. We have elderly people living in the complex who have been very scared by the things that have gone on. I'm sure whoever it is would feel very differently if it was a member of their own family it was happening to."

Cllr Andrew Marchington, one of the three Lib Dem members in Golcar Ward says:

"We're very pleased to approve this spending. Each time there is a break in or a window gets smashed, it's another bill for the council to pay and it's more heart ache for the residents. Not spending the money would be a false economy in the end. It should give residents the security they want and will hopefully catch out anyone who thinks they can act like this in our area and not be brought to book".