Fight continues for return of security camera
Councillors who represent Newark’s Winthorpe Road estate say they have not given up the fight to get a security camera near a complex of elderly people’s homes re-instated.
Mrs Gill Dawn and Mrs Irene Brown, who represent Bridge ward on Newark and Sherwood District Council, are lobbying Newark and Sherwood Homes for a security camera on Wolsey Road.
It was taken down in May and since then Newark MP Mr Robert Jenrick has backed calls for it to be reinstated.
Mrs Dawn said: “Someone noticed that the CCTV camera on Wolsey Road had been removed and, at that time, there was quite a lot of vandalism and going on.
“The residents were upset about this because Newark and Sherwood Homes pride themselves on consultation with residents and local members and there was absolutely no consultation whatsoever.
“That camera was placed outside a complex of elderly and vulnerable people facing the Meering Avenue shops and had been a good deterrent to anti-social behaviour there.
“Between us, both residents, myself and Irene made enquiries and said most clearly that at the end of the day we wanted it back.
“I think it was an act of negligence and ill manners just to do it without consultation with the local members.
“When we asked Newark and Sherwood Homes what the police said, they informed us they were asked at the Safer Neighbourhood Group after it was gone.”
'We will continue that fight'
Mrs Dawn said she and Mrs Brown would continue the fight to get the camera back.
“The police said it was not being used but I want to know how they know that because we have not been consulted,” she said.
“We will continue that fight because we feel disappointed, particularly for those elderly residents who want it back because they find it a great comfort having it there.
“Since it was put in many years ago there was still a little bit of anti-social behaviour, but no more than anywhere else.”
Mr Stephen Feast, director at Newark and Sherwood Homes, said: “We consulted with our partners in deterring anti-social behaviour, the police and the district council, before removing the cameras located at Wolsey Road.
“The cameras were only removed following consistently low levels of anti-social behaviour in the area and this trend has continued.
“We are working with the local partnership plus group, which includes local councillors and representatives from other agencies, to address crime and disorder issues in the area and this includes where CCTV cameras should be sited to have the greatest positive impact.”
