Rural cops would like CCTV cameras
Police in Callander would welcome the installation in the town of new mobile CCTV cameras recently purchased by Stirling Council.
Officers, speaking at Monday evening’s monthly meeting of Callander Community Council, said the introduction of portable CCTV cameras, particularly on main routes through the town, would be something they would support.
Earlier this year, the authority acquired 10 cameras able to be used across the council area.
However, in May it was revealed council officials had decided to divert the new pieces of kit to Stirling city centre underpasses.
Since then, Stirling’s underpasses received their own cameras, meaning the deployable cameras are now not used there and available to be used elsewhere. It has been agreed to split the ten cameras between both urban and rural locations.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting an officer from Callander police office, there to provide a monthly update to the community, said “CCTV is something that we would welcome”, when asked by community councillors. They added that the use of CCTV in Main Street would not only help them detect crimes within the town but assist in tracking the movements of those suspected of crime who were simply passing through Callander.
Community councillors went on to discuss the allocation of the 10 cameras and members felt that some could be better utilised in rural locations.
Community council chairman, Chris Corden, this week said: “We proposed that Stirling Council should purchase more CCTV cameras and a proportion of these should be allocated to rural locations. Some of these should be installed in Callander specifically to cover the main trunk roads.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said that any request from a community for more of the deployable devices will be considered.
He added: “Cameras will be located on an evidence- and intelligence-led basis after consultation with communities and other agencies, including Police Scotland.”
Trossachs and Teith Tory councillor, Martin Earl, who attended Monday evening’s meeting, said: “I long argued for more CCTV capability in the rural areas so I’m pleased that at least some of the 10 deployable ones recently bought by the council will be earmarked for such use.
“That is a step forward but we need more available and some of these need to be located permanently. There is a strong case for them to be in Callander and Aberfoyle where they can act as a deterrent for antisocial behaviour and support the police in gathering important intelligence on rural crime. It will help them track vehicles of interest across the area for example. I want to see the council and police agree joint funding to purchase and install them as a priority.”