New CCTV to be installed in Sittingbourne

A rise in anti-social behaviour on the high street has residents living in fear after dark.

Transcript

00:00New cameras and more police on the streets to tackle a long-standing problem.

00:06For months Citybourne's town centre has been plagued by anti-social behaviour.

00:12Now as part of the Safer Streets campaign, five new cameras will be deployed here

00:18following a dispersal order that's been in force since January.

00:23In times when I've gone the back way rather than down the high street or I've

00:28crossed over if something's going on, not just me, my customers have said the same.

00:33You know it's not pleasant or hasn't been pleasant.

00:37The Yellowstocks micro pub has seen their footfall slashed in recent months.

00:42For the landlady here the new measures are something of a mixed bag in reducing anti-social behaviour.

00:49Not so much CCTV maybe but obviously more police presence definitely does.

00:54But I suppose if they know they're going to be filmed it might be a deterrent.

00:58But definitely to me seeing more police on the high street has definitely helped.

01:02From shoplifting to smashing windows many of the businesses here in Citybourne

01:07have shared a similar story about anti-social behaviour here on the high streets.

01:13But many were reluctant to go on camera.

01:17Some for fear of reprisals, others because they were simply too frustrated

01:22at how little they think has been done to tackle the issue.

01:27Councillor Richard Palmer is one of those who feels resources could be invested elsewhere.

01:33But I think sometimes we look at the root causes

01:36and some of the services that have been provided in the past just aren't there now.

01:40So we can't just blame the children all the time and the young adults and say

01:44they're causing the problems.

01:46We need to look at ourselves and say what has been cut,

01:49why have they been cut and what are we going to do about it?

01:52Kent Police Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster told KMTV

01:56that officers work with Swell Borough Council to tackle crime and protect local people and businesses

02:03and any additional CCTV in the borough should reassure communities

02:08and act as a deterrent to criminals.

02:11But if they'll be more camera shy than they were with us remains to be seen.

02:16Oliver Leader, The Saks for KMTV in Citybourne.

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