District CCTV cover threat

CCTV cameras installed in a district of Cannock to tackle anti-social behaviour could be scrapped to save the district council £44,000 a year.

Cannock Chase Council is considering decommissioning the 13 pole-mounted surveillance cameras which oversee the Benion Road estate in Chadsmoor and ploughing the monitoring and maintenance costs into other initiatives across the district.

The plans are part of a new strategy to maximise housing funds.

Other proposals include retaining the cameras but adding a service charge of £3.17 a week to be paid by residents.

CCTV coverage in Chads-moor was introduced in 2001 after the district was identified as a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

But the council is now investigating if cameras are providing value for money. Between January and June, the system recorded 59 incidents of anti-social behaviour, 26 of which were attended by police.