The Best Guide for the B13 Area

Police move to play down terrorism link to Moseley spy cameras

Published: 26th July 2010 22:40

West Midlands Police has announced further moves to reassure the local community after the controversy over a network of spy cameras covering a large area of East Birmingham, including Moseley.

The cameras are able to log the registration of every car entering and leaving Moseley and were funded by anti-terrorism cash from the Home Office.

After stormy meetings with local residents - and claims that neither community police officers nor local councillors had been consulted - the cameras are now covered with bags to prove they cannot be used.

Today the local police commander, Chief Superintendent Surjeet Manku issued a statement to make it clear  the Counter Terrorism Unit will play no further role.

"We are exploring with the Surveillance Commissioners their involvement in overseeing the removal of the covert cameras and providing verification that none of the cameras are in use," said Chief Superintendent Manku. "The Office of Surveillance Commissioners provides scrutiny into the conduct of covert surveillance. They are appointed by the Prime Minister. Commissioners hold, or have held, high judicial office."

The statement went on to say that terms of reference have been agreed to for a board to take over the project. This will include representatives from the local community and wil look at securing the best possible outcome in terms of community safety and reassurance.  It will have the power to revise or even remove cameras.

An earlier attempt to reassure local people almolst backfired when it was revealed that the high-ranking police officer from another force who was asked to carry out an independent review of the spy cameras had a senior anti-terror role.

Sara Thornton, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, is a member of the terrorism and allied matters group of the Association of Chief Police Officers.  She has been asked by Chris Sims Chief Constable of West Midlands Police to carry out a review examining the role of West Midlands Police and the Police Authority in the camera project.

Chief Superintendent Manku said he is aware of the impact of Sara Thornton's anti-terror role on public confidence in her ability to carry out the review and these concerns were being highlighted to her.

Report this article as inappropriate

Comments

You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.