Petition appeals for cameras to deter crime

A PETITION has been launched to call for the installation of CCTV cameras in a West Yorkshire town.

The online petition calls on Bradford Council to consider CCTV to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Ilkley.

Some 1,500 signatures are needed for the proposal to be debated at a meeting of the full council. The petition said: “We value our town as a safe place, where people choose to live, work, shop and play. We believe that crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of these are major concerns for residents in Ilkley.

“We consider that the introduction of CCTV will increase public confidence and reassurance, improve information gathering, detection and deployment of staff and resources.”

The online petition can be found on Bradford Council’s website. Paper petitions can also be signed at venues in the town including Infinity Hairdressing, Poppy Red Children’s Shoes, Johnsons Cleaners, the Lister Arms and JD Wetherspoon.

Separately, Ilkley Parish Council has launched a survey calling for people’s views on the possible installation of CCTV.

It asks whether people would feel safer if cameras were brought in and where CCTV should be installed.

CCTV would cost around £60,000 for initial installation, plus annual maintenance costs of around £2,000.

There could be an increase in Ilkley’s annual council tax precept in the year of installation, depending on how much of the cost was covered by the parish council.