Exclusive

by Jamie Stephens

jstephens@thekmgroup.co.uk

All Thanet's CCTV systems will be left unmanned overnight from next week.

The council say the cameras will still be recording but will not be manned between 3am and 9am from November 1. Although this means that evidence can still be collected, police will be less able to deal with incidents as they happen.

Cllr Chris Wells, portfolio holder for Community Services said the move follows a lack of demand: "It follows in-depth monitoring of the service which highlighted there were fewer incidents during these times."

The move has caused concern amongst locals, not least Ian Darker-Larkings, the owner of Lilly's By The Sea Cafe which opened recently in Margate High Street.

"Two weeks ago I had my window kicked in at 4am. A CCTV operator saw what was happening, called the police and someone was arrested at the scene," he said.

Unfortunately help arrived too late to save the window and the £2,500 cost of replacement glass, but he said the incident underlines the importance of live monitoring.

"Most of the street lights are broken in the High Street making it a pretty safe place for criminals. This is only going to make it worse. Plus you have the nightclubs kicking out at 3am - it seems a strange decision," said Ian.

Kent Police confirm a 18-year-old man from Chatham has been charged with criminal damage in connection with the incident.

Terry Silk works at Yama's Thai-English Cafe at the other end of the High Street. He was also shocked to learn manned monitoring would be stopped overnight.

"It's ridiculous - they should be monitored 24 hours a day. The shop window opposite me was put through and someone scratched the windows of five shops down here, including mine. It's just too expensive to replace though so we've had to leave it."

The council's decision brings them in line with Dover and Shepway district councils who have also stopped manning cameras at these times. Sample statistics supplied by Thanet District Council suggest that 'only' 9% of incidents happen between 3am and 9am, but local shopkeepers say that is scant comfort.

Tim Row, 47, a businessman from Margate said: "It seems a bit like taking our foot off the pedal. Monitoring's important because it deters people as much as catches them."

Audio: People in Margate have their say

Margate Labour Councillor and Shadow Cabinet member for Community Services, Iris Johnston, said she will be looking to meet with Chief Executive Sue McGinogal and Enforcement Services Manager Mark Richardson as soon as possible to discuss her concerns.

She said: "When Labour ran the council we secured funding for the CCTV system in response to public wishes. Any reduction in monitoring would very definitely be a backward step. This is just going to lead to less safe communities and a loss of jobs amongst CCTV staff."

Thanet District Council point out cameras will still be recording 24 hours a day and any incidents occurring during these times will still be used in evidence to prosecute offenders and aid the police in bringing them to justice.

A spokesperson said: "Thanet District Council takes its duty to reduce crime and disorder very seriously and will do all it can in partnership with Kent police to do so through providing an effective CCTV service and through the many services it provides in this area, such as the Community Safety Partnership, ASB investigators and enforcement officers."

The decision comes as a new report by ICM suggests three-quarters of people feel safer in public areas knowing that CCTV is in operation, with more than a third saying their support of the use of surveillance has increased following the London riots.