Churwell Park CCTV scheme operational

I was delighted to visit Churwell Park to see the operation of the new CCTV scheme. This has been a successful MBI initiative that resulted from concerns raised by the local community and Churwell Action Group.

The new cameras, which cover the park 24 hours a day, are placed to prevent vandalism to the children's playgrounds, the bowling green and pavilion as well as the central boulevard which will see the introduction of a new local sculpture feature. The new cameras will reduce levels of anti-social behaviour as well as reduce levels of under age drinking.

We care passionately about our parks and we have seen a renaissance across Morley as we have identified additional cash to bring them up to higher standards.

This CCTV programme has given me an insight into the complications and obstructions the law introduces to those who want to make areas safe for the overwhelming majority of law abiding citizens. Legislation including the Human Rights Act, The Data Protection Act and the Regulatory and Investigatory Powers Act (known as RIPA) challenge communities and seem to be designed to protect the nefarious wrong doer rather than those who have nothing to hide.

Conversations with local people leave you with a clear view that they want more CCTV - not less and do not understand the views of trendy libertarian types who want to see such systems removed. Of course the BNP have previously stood on a platform of removing CCTV as well as abolishing the automatic number plate recognition system - the same system that has monitored the whereabouts of criminals and led to the successful prosecution of the murderers in the Sharon Beshenivsky case presumably because they don't want their membership (which has included convicted terrorists David Copeland and Terence Gavan) closely scrutinised.

This CCTV programme is warmly welcomed by the local community who believe it is a strong and positive development which makes their park a safer place to visit. We will continue to push for more CCTV coverage where ever it is appropriate.