In an ideal world, the need for CCTV would be non-existent, sparing us from the prying eyes of ‘Big Brother’ as we go about our daily business. However, we find ourselves in a less-than-perfect reality, a world where nefarious individuals think nothing of pilfering from us, assaulting us, and, on occasion, taking lives. Yes, even in the relatively small town of Oswestry, recent years have seen more than our fair share of such tragic incidents.
So, what’s the backstory to this surveillance system?
Installed in 2001, the town’s CCTV, ostensibly supported by volunteers, is run and funded by Oswestry Town Council in collaboration with Oswestry BID and Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council. It boasts of being an award-winning initiative, drawing envy from across the county. The CCTV system is hailed by the police, primarily functioning as a reactive tool. In 2022, a whopping 164 reviews of evidence were conducted, resulting in 74 instances where evidence was provided for court prosecutions. Notably, cameras on the Industrial Estate have been particularly successful in sniffing out criminal activities.
The accolades for Oswestry’s CCTV system are not in short supply:
A 2014 report from The Shropshire Star said:Oswestry has seen its new CCTV system launched – with it being hailed as the best in Shropshire.
Now, let’s talk about the Crime Partnership Panel formed by Oswestry Town Council in collaboration with West Mercia Police. Its benefits, or lack thereof, remain to be seen, as the committee refuses to record its meetings—a tale for another time.
Despite the system’s apparent success, when the head of West Mercia Police initiated a CCTV Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the Council without any consultation, elected members found themselves considering the MOU. The MOU aimed to establish arrangements for contact between Local Government CCTV operators and West Mercia Operations & Communications Centre (OCC). It stipulated that CCTV operators would no longer have access to police radios, needing to contact the police service via 999 or 101 for incidents.
And we all know how successful that means of communication is. Let us look at the practicalities of this mind-blowing idea by West Mercia Police.
If a CCTV operator sees an incident taking place that does not require an emergency call he/she dials 101 and hours later (if he/she is lucky) they get through to the police control room in Worcester. Meanwhile the perpetrators are miles away.
Having listened to the recording of the Council meeting on 8th November 2023, the passion displayed by elected members was palpable. It felt almost as thrilling as watching paint dry, (especially when Councillor Kerr speaks). The gravity of the discussion seemed disproportionate, akin to deliberating the invasion of Iraq or some other momentous event. This raises questions about the town’s policing.
On 30th October 2023 West Mercia Police Chief pledged:
West Mercia police chief pledges CCTV cash for Oswestry Click here
On the 12 November 2023 it was reported:
Oswestry CCTV team loses West Mercia Police radio access. Click here
Considering these revelations, perhaps it’s time for an urgent audit of the entire CCTV system to assess whether we, as taxpayers, are truly getting value for money.
If West Mercia Police continue to treat the people of Oswestry with such contempt, perhaps we should question the continuation of this partnership that we pay for.
How about moving the whole operation into the Guildhall and charging West Mercia Police for access?
The Alternative Council 