A POLICE inspector has praised the use of CCTV footage in the fight against crime in the week that the technology came under fire.
Insp Andy Ross, of Warrington Central NPU, spoke out against Scotland Yard's criticism of CCTV following the successful prosecution of a thug who was identified after he lunged at a police officer with a 12-inch hunting knife.
Neil Dolan, aged 24, of Walton, Liverpool, was caught on cameras by Warrington Central railway station on January 21, swinging the large blade at PC Robin Swainbank.
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Insp Ross said: "There had been a report of someone possessing drugs in the town and PC Swainbank stop-checked two men and discovered some drugs.
"One of the men ran off and PC Swainbank chased him down Winwick Street and on to Warrington Central.
"As the man went down the steps he turned round and threatened him with the knife, swinging it at him. The officer used CS gas but the man managed to get off down the railway line.
He was identified as a Liverpool man from the CCTV and on this occasion had we not had the footage we would not have been able to bring about a successful prosecution."
He added: "Knife crime is a big problem and it is nice to see a good court decision."
Dolan appeared at Warrington Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to affray and received a 12-month jail term.
At the time of the offence Dolan was on licence for a four -year prison sentence from 2004 for conspiracy to steal a vehicle.
Chief Insp Nick Bailey said: "This case highlights the excellent work our officers are carrying out on a daily basis across the Warrington area.
"It also highlights the potential dangers that they face in their day-to- day duties - and the dedication and commitment they have in ensuring that anyone who breaks the law is dealt with. "
I think the report in question also said that CCTV works, but only in something like 3% of cases, so we'd need a few more examples of this in Warrington to reach that figure. The effectiveness of CCTV in preventing crime is questionable, it's effectiveness in catching crims appears negligible. More Bobbies, fewer cameras please.
I think the report in question also said that CCTV works, but only in something like 3% of cases, so we'd need a few more examples of this in Warrington to reach that figure. The effectiveness of CCTV in preventing crime is questionable, it's effectiveness in catching crims appears negligible. More Bobbies, fewer cameras please.
Again on these pages I'll quote the example of my brother who caught two youths vandalising his car yards from where Gary Newlove was murdered . He detained them, along with a neighbour, at risk to his personal safety, called the police, who took the drunken youths names and released them. there was CCTV but it was on a 7 day loop as opposed to a 28 day - whatever. After promising to send an officer round the police failed to do so.
He complained. A year on my brother has emigrated and has had no apology, no reply to his complaint nothing.
CCTV is only useful if well motivated individuals are at the controls. This mans words stick in the gullett. Warrington police are lazy, ill motivated and self serving.Theyre simply going through the motions no amount of technology is going to address that.
Again on these pages I'll quote the example of my brother who caught two youths vandalising his car yards from where Gary Newlove was murdered . He detained them, along with a neighbour, at risk to his personal safety, called the police, who took the drunken youths names and released them. there was CCTV but it was on a 7 day loop as opposed to a 28 day - whatever. After promising to send an officer round the police failed to do so.
He complained. A year on my brother has emigrated and has had no apology, no reply to his complaint nothing.
CCTV is only useful if well motivated individuals are at the controls. This mans words stick in the gullett. Warrington police are lazy, ill motivated and self serving.Theyre simply going through the motions no amount of technology is going to address that.
Posted by: Legion, Warrington North on 10:27am Fri 9 May 08
We wouldn't need cctv if we had decent policing and substantial punnishment. This government is only intrested in revenue, so they target motorist as they are generaly law abiding working class people who need cars to work, wheras thugs and burgalars are lowlife "don't want to works" with no money and no revenue for the government fine & tax culture, just expense of imprisoning them (so they don't bother)
We wouldn't need cctv if we had decent policing and substantial punnishment. This government is only intrested in revenue, so they target motorist as they are generaly law abiding working class people who need cars to work, wheras thugs and burgalars are lowlife "don't want to works" with no money and no revenue for the government fine & tax culture, just expense of imprisoning them (so they don't bother)
Posted by: Repairman Jack, That bit , over there on 3:53pm Fri 9 May 08
The national reporting of only 3% of street robberies seeemd to imply that teh other 97% were solved without the use of CCTV - rather suspect that is not the case.
What is more relevant is what % of the cases solved were down to CCTV.
The national reporting of only 3% of street robberies seeemd to imply that teh other 97% were solved without the use of CCTV - rather suspect that is not the case.
What is more relevant is what % of the cases solved were down to CCTV.
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