Respect Coordinator: 'Talking' CCTV key part of defeating anti-social behaviour

Wednesday, 04, Apr 2007 12:00

Louise Casey, the government's coordinator for its 'respect' agenda, has argued in support of 'talking' CCTV, describing it as a necessary tool in the battle against anti-social behaviour.

"Promoting good behaviour and challenging bad is a key theme of the Respect Action Plan," she said.

"We want to remind people about what is, and is not, respectful behaviour and we are encouraging children to send this clear message to grown-ups - act anti-socially and face the shame of being publicly embarrassed. We hope that perpetrators will think twice before doing it again.

"We all pay council tax so in the end we all pay when our communities are disrespected - both in our pockets as well as in our daily lives."

Ms Casey argued that the move would save money spent by councils picking up litter.

"What is does is nip problems in the bud, reduces bureaucracy, and gets across the message – don't litter our streets because someone else is going to pay to have that litter picked up again. Half a billion pounds a year is spent picking up litter," she told the BBC.

She described the new cameras as a vital part of the government's arsenal in fighting anti-social behaviour and violence: "More police officers? Definitely. Use of anti-social behaviour tools? Definitely. Talking CCTV as a good idea to remind people to behave well? Definitely.

"You can't do one and not the other, you've got to do them all."