CCTV takes credit in helping to cut crime in Barton
BETTER CCTV has led to a drop in crime and anti-social behaviour in Barton, say neighbourhood police officers.
The latest available statistics show there were 13 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported in the town in June and six of criminal damage.
-
GOOD NEWS: PC Lee Fuller.
These are the lowest recorded so far this year, beating the previous lowest totals of 22 for anti-social behaviour and 11 for criminal damage, set in January.
PC Lee Fuller, a member of Humberside Police's Barton neighbourhood policing team, said he felt an emphasis on education was part of the reason for the drop.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
And he added that the town's CCTV system – upgraded using a £1,000-plus investment by Barton Town Council in March – had also made a difference.
"As far as criminal damage and anti-social behaviour is concerned, it has dropped in the last couple of months," he said. "I would like to say there is a lot more visible presence from the police, closer working relationships with the schools and we have got good CCTV.
"The CCTV has helped us with several incidents of damage. One of the first things we do if there is a crime in Barton is check the CCTV."
Sergeant Dave Burton said the upgraded CCTV system, which now uses broadband technology and provides better quality images than before, helped reassure the public.
He said: "What is occurring is being recorded, the quality is a lot better and it has remote access as well, so if we need to look at it, we don't have to go to individual shops."
Sergeant Burton said he believed some aspects of crime in the town were seasonal, such as incidents of young people causing a nuisance by drinking in the parks.
But he said the team had worked hard to combat anti-social behaviour relating to youngsters.
He added: "The relationships we have got with the schools are very good and that means we can assist in the education of young people. We are now getting invited into schools and so kids are aware if they do get stopped, they can put a name to the face."
Sergeant Burton said the low instances of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage indicated in June had continued throughout the summer.
He said this could be partly as a result of a feel-good factor from national events such as the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
But he added the team would not become complacent and urged residents to report any incidents to police.
He said: "The public have a part to play and if they see something suspicious, they should ring it in."
Comments