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09
Dec 2022
Police support Starbeck BT 'street hub' despite drugs concerns
North Yorkshire Police has backed the installation of a BT 'street hub' in Starbeck despite concerns they can encourage drug dealing.
BT has applied to Harrogate Borough Council to remove the existing phone box and set up a hub on High Street outside Starbeck Post Office. The telecommunications company plans to install seven of the hubs across Harrogate.
The hubs, which are being installed across the country, provide free phone calls and Wi-Fi, rapid charging points and touch screen tablets that can be used to access services.
BT describes them as 'reinventing phone boxes for the digital age'. But in a letter to the council, Richard Ball, designing out crime officer at North Yorkshire Police, said the force was aware the street hubs could be used for anti-social behaviour, such as drug dealing.
However, Mr Ball said he felt the issue was addressed by BT as the company could block any phone number used for such crimes.
He said:
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Mr Ball added that the force would support the street hub and would be interested in “utilising the community messaging facility that the street hub can provide”.
BT has also applied to install three free-standing units with screens on both sides on Cambridge Street outside the former Smiggle shop, on Oxford Street outside Marks and Spencer, and on Station Parade in front of the Cotswold Company.
The applications reveal Harrogate Borough Council’s planning department has already expressed concern about the proposals, saying they would be viewed as “street clutter” .
However, BT argued the hubs were largely used to replace older infrastructure and would deliver a valuable service.
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