Greenock Telegraph | News | Leaders behind CCTV campaign

Saturday, 6th September, 2008

Published: Friday, 4th April, 2008 16:25

Leaders behind CCTV campaign

By Russell Steele

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CAMERA CAMPAIGN: Robert has taken his petition to the Scottish Parliament.

CIVIC leaders have pledged their support to a campaign for extra CCTV cameras in Inverclyde.

Council chief Stephen McCabe and Provost Michael McCormick, pictured below, have added their names to a petition set up by east end resident Robert Kyle.

It calls on MSPs to demand cash from the Scottish Government to pay for more fixed spy cameras.

Mr McCabe was the first person to add his signature — and now Mr Kyle is calling on his fellow councillors and the wider community to follow suit.

He told the Telegraph: “I contacted every councillor and I’m pleased Mr McCabe was first to give me his support and set an example.

“Mr McCormick has added his name and told me to keep up the good work. Ross Finnie MSP has also said he supports the petition.

“It is now up to the community — if they want better protection, this is an opportunity for them to show it.”

Mr Kyle and his neighbours started the campaign for crime-busting cameras after uncovering an atrocious level of reported crime on their streets.

He said: “People dread the weekend coming. They know it will be merry hell.”

Councillors have told him two additional mobile CCTV units will soon be drafted into Inverclyde — but Mr Kyle is unconvinced about their merits.

He said: “Mobile cameras chase crime — it’s closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. A fixed unit costs £35,000 and £2,000 a year, but how much would a mobile unit cost?

“It would have to run until 3 or 4am to work properly, and overtime would be sky-high. I would like to see a full cost-benefit analysis about mobile units.”

Mr Kyle has also written to local sheriffs and police chiefs in his camera quest, and his petition will remain open on the Scottish Parliament website for six weeks.

It can be signed by logging on to http://epetitions.scottish.parliament.uk/view_petition.asp?PetitionID=228