CCTV decision to be reversed

A report to Test Valley Borough Council’s cabinet is recommending reversal of the previous decision to transfer monitoring of Andover’s CCTV network to Lyndhurst.

The original decision met widespread disapproval in Andover and was  heavily criticised in the Andover Advertiser. I would like to thank Dick Bellringer of the Advertiser for raising the matter and advising me and other councillors of the public concerns.

In response to these concerns I asked that the matter be reviewed by the council’s scrutiny committee and asked that the committee consider the following

  • A report on the the decision making process with particular reference to consultations with the police, the Chantry centre, Andover Business Against Crime (ABAC) and other stakeholders.
  • An assessment of the impact of the decision on the effectiveness of exisiting crime prevention measures with particular reference to the ABAC radio network, reported reduced levels of monitoring of existing cameras, reduced local knowledge of the operators and the failure to extend CCTV to Andover’s car parks.
  • A response to public concerns that the decision will have a negative effect on the local economy.

That report was made to the committee and officers agreed to review the decision in the light of public concerns. I also requested that a future report on the topic be in the public domain as the previous  confidential report increased public fears that the decision was ill-considered and unsound.

I am pleased to see that the fresh report to cabinet has answered these concerns and is open to the public. The new proposal is to retain monitoring in Andover means a retention of the existing effective service and closer co-operation with local police and businesses. What a pity the proposals weren’t thought through in March.

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