Anger over CCTV changes

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Jan 2009

Campaigners have voiced their concerns over unpopular changes to CCTV monitoring in Eastbourne.

Until recently the town's many CCTV cameras were monitored locally in Eastbourne. The changes mean CCTV monitoring now takes place in Brighton, by officers who will not know the local area well.

Eastbourne campaigner Stephen Lloyd commented, "With rising fear of crime, people rightly want to feel safe when they're shopping or are out and about in Eastbourne. Our CCTV cameras help protect residents by giving the Police a useful tool in catching shoplifters and stopping other illegal activities."

"I believe moving this service to Brighton could be dangerous. An Eastbourne officer monitoring CCTV is more likely to know, for example, who a particular local suspect may be or where they are likely to go after causing an incident. Someone in Brighton will not have the same level of knowledge of our town. I will be writing to the Chief Constable demanding answers. Residents deserve better."

Town-centre County Councillor Beryl Healy added, "When it comes to keeping our streets safe, nothing is as good as local knowledge. Moving our CCTV monitoring to Brighton is just wrong. Eastbourne businesses lobbied hard to get CCTV and many of them contributed towards it. It's unfair that this vital service is now being put at risk by people who don't know Eastbourne."