POLICE and Crime Commissioner Dan Price says he is determined to find a solution to retain live CCTV cameras in Warrington town centre – currently under threat from proposed budget cuts.
More than 3,100 people have already signed a petition opposing plans by the borough council to remove live monitoring from September, to save £110,000 this financial year and £220,000 the following year.
The cost-cutting proposals sparked outrage in the local community, including from retired detective Chris Upham, who called on Mr Price to step in and resolve the issue.
Plans are in the pipeline for a protest outside the full meeting of Warrington Borough Council next Monday evening, outside the Parr Hall at 5.30 pm on Monday.
Mr Price responded saying: “On Monday, I met with the leader and interim CEO of Warrington Borough Council to talk about the proposed changes to the town centre CCTV system.
“I know that residents and businesses are understandably worried by what they’ve seen and heard about CCTV in Warrington. So I want to be really clear: the CCTV isn’t going anywhere. We’ve got the time and space to work through this properly, and it is not going to be switched off. There are absolutely no plans to do that.
“Both the Chief Constable and I completely agree on how important live monitoring of CCTV is. Rest assured, I’m determined to find a solution that avoids these proposed changes.
“That’s why I’m working closely with the council and other willing partners to make sure Warrington has a CCTV service that works well now and is ready for the future. Keeping the town centre safe, today and for years to come, remains a top priority for me.”
