The better side of Ealing's controversial CCTV
Love them, hate them, Ealing's much talked about CCTV cameras have helped round up an array of criminals in the borough this month.
Ealing Council has highlighted numerous arrests for guns, drugs and violent brawls, made thanks to the rapid response of Ealing Council’s CCTV control room.
CCTV operators spotted a man seen firing a gun, a doorman fighting with partygoers and a chancer hiding drugs, all in the last month.
CCTV cameras also picked up a man firing a weapon outside the Tudor Rose nightclub. Operators trained cameras on the man and kept the police informed about what car he got into and where it went. Suspects were later arrested.
"Like it or not CCTV cameras are here to stay"
And the cameras helped provide footage of a violent attack outside a licensed premises in Greenford Broadway. The Council’s licensing department and police are investigating the incident further.
A Council spokesperson described another incident where cameras proved particularly useful - police officers were seen on camera searching a man suspected of having drugs on him. The officers did not find anything and let the suspect go, but operators continued to follow him with the cameras and saw him return to the spot as soon as police had left the area. The suspect went back to a bush and removed a package, stashed before he was stopped. The Police, in constant contact with the control room, returned and made an arrest.
Councillor Sue Emment, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “The Council has invested heavily in CCTV as part of its drive to make Ealing safer.
“The Council’s CCTV control room operators are the ‘virtual’ eyes of the borough. They allow the Police and other emergency services to respond quickly to situations and catch criminals faster.
“CCTV cameras are there to catch people breaking the law, if you have done nothing wrong you have nothing to worry about. Like it or not CCTV cameras are here to stay and are proving their worth every day by helping the Police catch thugs and criminals.”
January 17, 2008
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