Camera to ward off bin fire yobs
IT IS HOPED CCTV WILL ACT AS A DETERRENT TO YOUTHS
A NEW security camera has been installed to help protect firefighters at a danger hotspot where they were attacked by yobs.
Earlier this week, a fire crew was pelted with bricks, bottles and cans by children as young as 10 who had set fire to wheelie bins in West Denton.
That was the latest attack at what has become a hotbed for anti-social behaviour, and now a new CCTV camera has been brought in to help warn firefighters of danger and identify the perpetrators.
An underpass leading under West Denton Way has become the prime location for the attacks.
The HD camera is the first in the city to be installed since a new agreement was signed in October allowing Northumbria Police and the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to access council security cameras in Newcastle.
Denton and Westerhope councillor Dan Greenhough, who called for the emergency services to get CCTV support from the council earlier this year, said: “One of the reasons for this is so that they can see what they are going into, if there is anyone setting a fire and then waiting for the crew to arrive so they can throw stones at them or something like that. They can now see what they are going into and if they need police with them, or if the fire service will not be in that danger.”
Letters are now being sent to around 700 homes in the surrounding area to ask people not to leave their bins out in the street for too long after they are collected, and reminding them that attacking members of the emergency services is a specific criminal offence.
Coun Greenhough added that there appears to have already been a reduction in anti-social behaviour in the two days since the camera was installed, ahead of Bonfire Night next week.
He said: “This is a work in progress but it is important that we get the message out there.”
After the attack this week, fire station manager Geoff Hagon said: “It brings the standard of the area down, it frightens people in their homes, it’s absolutely dreadful.”