Shropshire Star

HD CCTV used to tackle problems outside Telford community centre

A community centre in Telford is upgrading its CCTV cameras to stop people using its surroundings as a public toilet.

Published

The previous cameras at Castle Farm Community Centre in Hadley were low-definition analogue models, and the footage they recorded was no use in prosecutions.

Police were also unable to use video of a car break-in that took place while a meeting was going on inside the High Street centre for the same reason.

The system will now get a £1,200 refit after councillors gave their approval.

In a report before Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council, council clerk Jonathan Brumwell wrote: “Staff have been aware for some time that the area around Hadley Community Centre is used by certain individuals as a place for both urination and defecation.

“This has resulted in numerous requests being made to Telford and Wrekin Services for urgent cleansing to be carried out.

“Although CCTV evidence of these acts is available, it is not of sufficient quality to enable to culprits to be identified.

“It should be noted that CCTV footage of a theft from a resident’s car during the February meeting of the council was not adequate to assist the police in their inquiries for the same reason.”

Data

The council consulted Technical Services Shropshire, the firm which provided high-definition CCTV cameras for other parts of the parish.

An upgrade of the storage disk for the footage was also required, Mr Brumwell noted, as the current equipment is unable to store the amount of data that four HD cameras would generate.

“The cost of upgrading the cameras at the rear of the building, including a vandal-proof dome housing for the camera nearest to Dickens Lane and increased data storage is £1,297.40,” he wrote.

The council’s budget includes £1,000 specifically for CCTV systems, and a further reserve of £1,805.

The 15-member council voted in favour of the upgrade.

This week the council will meet again to discuss other upgrades to the community centre, including a £650 paint job for the walls, doors and skirting boards in the entrance hall and coffee room.