Burnley CCTV camera removed from 'quiet street' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley CCTV camera removed from 'quiet street'

10:00pm Thursday 19th February 2009 in Burnley By Chris Hopper, Reporter

A CCTV camera has been removed from a busy Burnley street after police decided it was “too quiet”.

The camera, attached to the Rosegrove Action Group shop, in Lowerhouse Lane, was taken down earlier this week by officers who said they needed it for an operation.

And residents were apparently told police picked Rosegrove because it had been “quiet” since CCTV was installed two months ago.

Brian Parkinson, 68, who lives in nearby Dorset Street, said: “We looked up one day and found out the camera was not there anymore.

“Then someone from police told us they had taken it down because there was not enough anti-social behaviour in the area. But this week we have had windows smashed in a local butchers and a hotel.

“We fought for a long time for CCTV but when they told us they were taking it down for being too quiet we just laughed.”

The camera was paid for by taxpayers and is run by Burnley’s MAPS team involving police and the council. Coun Charlie Briggs, part of the team and executive member for community safety, said: “Because the area went quiet for a while and because it was the only camera available, they took it down.

“Apparently it will be put back up there for a four-week period but I am trying to get it there full-time.”

Insp Phil Hutchinson, from the MAPS team, was unavailable for comment.