Yob-plagued Tipton estate CCTV scheme hopes
Permanent CCTV cameras could be installed to protect a Tipton estate terrorised by anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Sandwell Council is looking at plans for the cameras on the Lost City estate, which has been targeted by yobs.
Police have already secured an order giving them the power to move on gangs but it will expire on March 31 next year and alternative preventative measures are now being looked at. But borough leaders warned it may be some time before the measures were put in place.
Funding is yet to be found for the scheme so patience is needed council bosses have warned.
Cabinet member for neighbourhoods Councillor Ian Jones said: "Installing permanent CCTV on this estate is certainly something which is being looked at the present time.
"There have been problems with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the area previously which was why police sought to put the dispersal order in place,"?he added.
"CCTV cameras have also been requested as a deterrent.
"However at the present time no funding has been allocated for such a project.
"First we need to secure the cash for the cameras.
"When this will happen I just do not know at the moment but it something we are working on and hope to achieve in the future," Councillor Jones said.
"We also want to ensure there is a strong police response in place before carrying out such a scheme," he added.
"There is no point in having the cameras if officers are not available to respond to issues.
"All the cameras would do is record what was happening.
"These things have to be discussed further."
Police asked a dispersal order be put in place to give them the power to move on groups of two or more young people gathering on streets along the estate.
It came into force in October to deter yobs from congregating in the area and carrying out anti-social behaviour and vandalism in the area.
