TALKING CCTV is here to stay in Ipswich, it emerged today. The Big Brother-style equipment put up in Lloyds Avenue to target late night anti-social behaviour is to be a permanent fixture - and there may be similar 'talking units' set up elsewhere in the town.
TALKING CCTV is here to stay in Ipswich, it emerged today.
The Big Brother-style equipment put up in Lloyds Avenue to target late night anti-social behaviour is to be a permanent fixture - and there may be similar 'talking units' set up elsewhere in the town.
Jim Manning, community safety manager at Ipswich Council said: “Talking CCTV continues to be used in Ipswich as a useful tool in the fight against anti social behaviour.
“The four CCTV cameras equipped with the Home Office funded 'talking units' have been used regularly since they were launched in the town in June.”
Mr Manning said the large majority of people addressed to by the 'talking unit' respond quickly and do not flout the spoken instructions.
And though records are not kept it is estimated details of about two people each weekend are forwarded to Suffolk police to take further action.
So far, as reported in The Evening Star, one person has been given a fixed penalty notice for inappropriate behaviour, Mr Manning said.
He added: “Most people who are given warning messages in this way are responding positively to the requests made by the Controllers in the Borough Council Emergency Services Centre.
“Those who chose to ignore the warning are, as has been previously reported in the Star, being referred to the police for further action which can result in fixed penalty tickets being issued for more serious consequences.
“The control room staff have stopped a number of individuals who were about to urinate in the street and who were last seen running off down the street trying to pull up their trousers!
“The four cameras equipped in this way are permanent fixtures and may well be added to if they prove to be useful in the long term.”
Have you been spoken to by the talking cctv? Is it a good idea? What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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