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Mar 2021

Last Updated: 09/03/2021

Crime

Mobile cameras to be used to reduce crime in Ripon

by Tim Flanagan

| 09 Mar, 2021

Some areas of Ripon that do not currently have CCTV in place will soon see mobile cameras installed to help tackle violent and anti-social behaviour. A high police presence in Ripon recently has eased tensions following a spate of crime.

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Two mobile CCTV cameras are to be employed in the fight against crime in Ripon.

Additional police patrols in city crime hotspots have reduced tension in recent weeks after a spate of anti-social behaviour and violence.

But Ripon City Council is mindful that the recent high visible police presence is not likely to be maintained.

Councillors at last night's virtual full council meeting agreed that cameras could play a role in helping tackle the problem.

City council leader Andrew Williams told the meeting that Harrogate Borough Council has mobile CCTV facilities that can be used in Ripon. The cameras can be attached to items such as lampposts and moved around as necessary. He said:

"We very much appreciate the stepping up of police patrols in the city, which have proved effective.

"However, in the longer-term maintaining the same level of policing on the streets is not sustainable and we need to provide the police with additional resources."

Stuart Martin, who is also a district and county councillor, added he has approached North Yorkshire County Council to discuss the use of a mobile camera owned by the authority.

The devices would be additional to the fixed CCTV cameras used to watch over parts of the city, such as Market Square.

Cllr Martin said:

"I have also spoken with the county highways team about the need to keep street lighting on in the areas where the mobile cameras are deployed, so that clear images can be captured."

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It was agreed that the city council will liaise with North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council for advice on the best locations in Ripon for the mobile cameras.

This will enable them to be employed as both a deterrent and a means of identifying, arresting and prosecuting those involved in violent and anti-social behaviour.

Last year, Ripon councillors voted unanimously to join forces with the police to tackle crime in the city.

In February, North Yorkshire's police, fire and crime commissioner Julia Mulligan told a virtual meeting with councillors that the force had 'taken its eye off the ball' on policing in Ripon.

Earlier in the month, the Stray Ferret reported that residents were scared to go out on the city's streets following a spate of violent and criminal activity in the Bondgate area.

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Mobile cameras to be used to reduce crime in Ripon

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