Residents, local businesses and local Labour Councillors today welcomed news that that CCTV cameras will be installed in Whitecross Street in Bunhill.

Local businesses have been highlighting the problem of anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and dangerous scooter racing down the street for years – but the previous Lib Dem administration on Islington Council refused to listen to these concerns and install CCTV on the street.

Bunhill’s three local Labour Councillors have been campaigning hard to bring CCTV to the street and were able to secure funding from the Labour Council’s Ward Improvement Plans budget – which targets money for local needs – to pay for new CCTV monitoring.

Cllr Troy Gallagher, who has been campaigning for the CCTV cameras since 2005, said:

“We’ve listened to local residents and we are on their side. After years of the previous Lib Dem administration refusing to grant funding for CCTV for Whitecross Street, we are prioritising residents’ safety and security.

This will mean we will be able to take firm action against those who speed dangerously up and down the street on scooters; those who cause anti-social behaviour towards residents; those who engage in noise nuisance and those who loiter outside licensed premises making life a misery for our residents.  The message to these people is clear: your reign is over.”

Cllr Robert Khan emphasised that the CCTV cameras are only part of the plan to improve the area and tackle anti-social behaviour:

“The new CCTV cameras will be an effective deterrent because they will work in conjunction with the other changes already taking place on Whitecross Street. 

Local restaurants have already installed outdoor eating facilities which have made the Street more welcoming for families – we’re supporting them by listening to their needs and installing CCTV cameras so we can identify and bring to book the small number of people who are making life on Whitecross Street a misery for our residents.”

Cllr Claudia Webbe said:

“Making people feel safer in their local environment can increase feelings of belonging and community cohesion, reduce both real and perceived levels of crime and encourage people to spend more time out and about in their community, engaging with others and improving their health and well-being”.

Notes

  • For more information please email: info@islington-labour.org.uk or by phone 020 7607 8373.
  • The funding for CCTV cameras on Whitecross Street was approved by the Islington Council Executive on Tuesday 5 July after it was included in the Ward Improvement proposals brought forward by Bunhill’s Labour Cllrs
  • CCTV cameras will be installed in the near future, and will be monitored from the Council’s central monitoring station in Old Street.