Lib Dems raise community safety concerns

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 8th Feb 2007

Lib Dems are concerned no mobile CCTV cameras are in action

Recent spates of anti-social behaviour in Lower Way, Thatcham have prompted calls from local Lib Dem Councillors Keith Woodhams and Jeff Brooks for mobile CCTV units to cover the area.

Thatcham West's Keith Woodhams explained the problem:

"People have been taking bottles out of the banks in Lower Way and smashing them, leaving dangerous shards of glass across the road and pavement. This causes a racket late at night, and puts people at risk."

After requesting mobile CCTV units to cover the area to try and pinpoint the culprits, Councillor Woodhams was told by Tory West Berkshire Council that none of the council's mobile camera units were available as they are currently all being repaired in Scotland.

Councillor Jeff Brooks, who leads the Lib Dem Group on West Berkshire Council, was outraged at this news:

"It's a bit rich the Tories putting out statements outlining all the money they are promising to pour into CCTV for the district when they are not providing a mobile CCTV service at the moment - the laziness of this administration defies belief. How hard would it have been to hire temporary units to cover this gap, or at the very least stagger the repair schedule of the West Berkshire camera units? The safety of residents is at stake - let's get these CCTV units back in West Berkshire, where they belong, before someone gets hurt."