Sarah’s death prompts CCTV cameras review
BROXTOWE COUNCIL LEADER SAYS WOMEN’S SAFETY IS A KEY ISSUE
BROXTOWE Borough Council is ordering a CCTV review of more than 60 cameras in light of the death of 33-year-old Sarah Everard.
Councillor Milan Radulovic, leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said he doesn’t want “fear” to stop people going out late at night once lockdown restrictions end.
The local authority is also planning on using mobile cameras at some of the hotspot areas around the borough including Stapleford where residents have recently expressed concerns.
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said some of the equipment across the city and county was “out of date” and there was a need for a review.
Sarah Everard vanished while walking home from her friend’s house in south London, with her remains found days later.
A Metropolitan Police officer, 48, has been accused of the kidnap and murder of the 33-year-old marketing executive and has been remanded in custody.
Women across the country expressed their concerns for safety at weekend vigils for Sarah Everard, including one held in Nottingham’s Old Market Square.
This has prompted Broxtowe to conduct a full review of its CCTV operation in light of its own concerns regarding its cameras.
Councillor Radulovic said: “The CCTV review is to look at all the coverage in areas of concern and town centres. I want to review them all so the coverage is right.
“That it is the right numbers in the right places and I will be taking this up myself. I have concerns that people do not feel safe.
“We have something like 65 cameras that are monitored on a 24 hour basis but I want to review that and where necessary upgrade.
“Women’s safety is a key issue. In light of what happened I don’t want people to feel afraid of going out. I want people to go out and enjoy themselves without the fear of being attacked, assaulted or intimidated in any way.
“We have had issues around CCTV for a while and we are bringing some high definition mobile CCTV in - and we will make sure they are directed to places where people feel unsafe.”
He said Stapleford will be one area that will benefit from the mobile cameras.
This comes after the death of 16-year-old Joe Whitchurch who died from stab injuries on Boxing Day, near to Hickings Lane Recreation Ground.
There was also a street fight in the area last Thursday which led to a man suffering a gash above his eye.
Last week, residents living close to the park told the Post they had serious concerns around drug dealing, large groups gathering and feeling intimidated.
Councillor Radulovic added: “All these incidents have made people feel unsafe and insecure. We don’t want people to fear otherwise it makes things worse.”
Mr Tipping said the death of Sarah Everard would be “the spur for change” and that upgrading CCTV was one area where safety could be improved. He said: “For some time now I have been saying to district and borough councils you have some equipment that is out of date. “We need to review what we have and look at new digital cameras and put a scheme together that is more effective than we have got at the moment.”
He said a summit was held with government on Monday, attended by chief constables and crime commissioners in light of the Sarah Everard case. “We need to use this moment to come forward with measures that give them confidence,” he added.
I want people to go out and enjoy themselves without the fear of being attacked or intimidated.
Milan Radulovic