The number of public CCTV cameras has increased by 87 percent in West Berkshire – according to a survey.
But Thames Valley Police has rowed back on a commitment to find cash to increase the number of mobile CCTV units in Newbury’s underpasses.
Furthermore, a pledge made to West Berkshire Council by superintendent Zahid Aziz to find more cash for them has also been benched.
In May, he said there was “a gap in provision in West Berkshire”.
And told the overview and scrutiny committee, which acts as West Berkshire’s crime board, that cash could be found.
“We have no plans to install CCTV,” he said at the time. “But we used to have mobile CCTVs in West Berkshire, and I would be interested to look to re-instate those.”
His comments came just weeks after a woman had her skirt lifted up by a man passing her in an underpass in Newbury.
But on requests for an update, Thames Valley Police issued this statement: “There is currently no provision for mobile CCTV in West Berkshire, however the force is using time and resources to work with partners across Project Vigilant to ensure people are safe in public spaces .
“The project is perpetrator focused, looking at identifying predatory behavior and preventing offenses from taking place.
“Plain-clothed police officers patrol with the role of identifying anyone who may be displaying predatory behavior.
“Uniformed officers are available to respond to contact from plain-clothed officers who have identified an individual displaying predatory behavior. They will then engage with that individual.
“Project Vigilant is in operation in West Berkshire and we have recently trained more Thames Valley Police officers and staff, as well as staff in pubs and clubs across West Berkshire to support our Project Vigilant activities in the district.”
There are now 86 cameras operated by the West Berkshire Council compared to 46 three years ago.
Wokingham Borough Council has increased its CCTV installations by more than 300 per cent according to Freedom of Information requests by Ironmongers Direct.
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