RESIDENTS and traders in the Garden Lane area of Chester are looking forward to a safer neighbourhood with extended CCTV coverage.
They have been campaigning to secure CCTV for the area in a bid to reduce criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.
In recent months, the police have been targeting the area in an effort to reduce crime and evidence gathered by the new CCTV will now provide crucial support when cases are taken to court. The new camera means that CCTV operators will be able to spot incidents more quickly and is another excellent example of the council’s effective partnership with the police.
The Garden Quarter Community Association has worked hard to gain support for the initiative and raised funds from local people and businesses towards the scheme.
Ray Noonan from the association explained: “Residents and traders have long campaigned for this camera to complement existing CCTV coverage and we all hope it will bring about a reduction in the antisocial behaviour and vandalism that have plagued the area in recent years, especially at night.
We are grateful for the support of councillors, churches, police, fire service and university and particularly appreciate the unflagging efforts of the City Area Committee and area manager to bring about this result.”
Funding for the cameras has been provided by City Area Committee, Chester City Council, Chester Community Safety Partnership and the University of Chester.
PC Steve Baldwin from Cheshire Constabulary explained: “The new camera on Garden lane will provide the police with another valuable tool to help detect crime, it will also be of benefit to the locals who have reported noise and damage over the years. I must say a big thanks to Ray Noonan, to Councillor Rudd and the university who provided a large sum of money.”
