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Proposal to install spy cameras in children's play grounds
8:00am Monday 11th June 2007
Comments (46)SPY cameras should be installed at two Worcester play areas to help defeat the blight of vandalism, says Worcester MP Mike Foster.
Mr Foster is worried play areas in Great Oaty Gardens, Warndon, and Whitmore Road, St John's, are quickly becoming easy targets for yobs and says the city council has Government cash to tackle it.
Older youths are descending on the play zones at night to damage the equipment and indulge in anti-social behaviour.
Mr Foster said: "It is simply unacceptable that play equipment is being vandalised and that local residents are having their lives blighted because they live near to these playgrounds.
"Installing CCTV cameras that would monitor what goes on, is a solution to the problem.
"Parents will have a greater sense of security, knowing that their children are being protected by the CCTV.
"Local people will no longer have to face a torrent of problems caused by a minority of yobs."
Mr Foster wants Guildhall bosses to use some of the £84,000 bonus money' the authority had from the Government in February to help pay for it.
As we reported in May, the city council has put the money into the reserves - and has already turned down a request to spend it on reviving a monthly disco for young people.
Mr Foster said: "The council hasn't spent it. Indeed they don't know what to do with it so here is my suggestion - provide CCTV cameras for local playgrounds in Worcester, starting at Great Oaty Gardens."
Great Oaty Gardens, in Warndon Villages, has recently been given new state-of-the-art play equipment at a cost of £30,000.
As the Worcester News reported in January, the city council is spending £100,000 on extra CCTV cameras in Worcester this year to add to the 63 it currently has.
It has drawn up a shortlist of sites that could get the new CCTV, but it does not include either of the play areas.
Coun Simon Geraghty, leader of the city council, said: "There are so many potential ways of spending the £84,000 but the council has made it clear it will be put in reserves until the next Government spending round has been announced.
"I wouldn't dispute that Warndon suffers from anti-social behaviour, but we would need to look at the evidence before we go down this line."
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Your Say YourWorcester News
FishMonkeyMan, A Better PLace says...
9:53am Mon 11 Jun 07
When are the Police going to do something about this increasing problem? We have more coppers now than at any time and yet they may as well be an endangered species. Please, do call Spring Watch if you see one.
If they generally don't get involved due to the pathetic targets culture we now have, then here's the ideal opportunity to get out from behind their desks or out their nice air conditioned cars and raise those percentages.
Hint: Here are two places where, if you can be bothered to hang around for half an hour you can catch a handful of criminal vandals red-handed... EVERY NIGHT. You could even search them... and hey presto, two more arrests for offensive weapons and drugs offences. Not rocket science is it?
Go on, make their lives as much of a misery as they do ours.
As for Coun Simon Geraghty's comments, Coun Simon Geraghty, leader of the city council, said: "There are so many potential ways of spending the £84,000 but the council has made it clear it will be put in reserves until the next Government spending round has been announced.
WHY??? Are the Council waiting for the sky to fall in?
"I wouldn't dispute that Warndon suffers from anti-social behaviour, but we would need to look at the evidence before we go down this line."
When the Council has to replace all the play equipment at a cost of over £84,000 will that be enough evidence for them? Will they resign due to wasting tax payers money at that point?
I thought not.
Turkey Neck, Wuster says...
10:51am today Mon 11 Jun 07
Turkey Neck, Wuster says...
10:51am today Mon 11 Jun 07
Jim Evans, says...
11:27am Mon 11 Jun 07
They are not "spies" but simple devices to literally keep an eye on the same spaces we could see if we happened to be going on our lawful way at the time.
We are all free to visit public playgrounds and the centre of town..... and maybe more people will reclaim our public spaces once they feel safe from the thugs who presently run Britain because we are too busy moithering on about illusory "civil rights".
Jim Evans, says...
11:27am Mon 11 Jun 07
They are not "spies" but simple devices to literally keep an eye on the same spaces we could see if we happened to be going on our lawful way at the time.
We are all free to visit public playgrounds and the centre of town..... and maybe more people will reclaim our public spaces once they feel safe from the thugs who presently run Britain because we are too busy moithering on about illusory "civil rights".
Turkey Neck, Wuster says...
12:51pm Mon 11 Jun 07
Turkey Neck, Wuster says...
12:51pm Mon 11 Jun 07
dw78, Worcester says...
2:04pm Mon 11 Jun 07
Why don't the police get tougher with these yobs instead of tring to be their best mate all of the time by having friendly chats with them!
The introduction of CCTV cameras would only solve a small part of the problem - it still won't stop 40-50 children making the worst din during the day/evening - again these 10/11 year olds language is vile and completely unacceptable.
Just get rid of the park altogether and put it somewhere that isn't so close to residential properties!
dw78, Worcester says...
2:04pm Mon 11 Jun 07
Why don't the police get tougher with these yobs instead of tring to be their best mate all of the time by having friendly chats with them!
The introduction of CCTV cameras would only solve a small part of the problem - it still won't stop 40-50 children making the worst din during the day/evening - again these 10/11 year olds language is vile and completely unacceptable.
Just get rid of the park altogether and put it somewhere that isn't so close to residential properties!
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
2:36pm Mon 11 Jun 07
dw78 is right to bemoan the Police 'trying to be their best mate'. If you or I did as these feral kids do we would be arrested on the first occassion the Police attended. Where is their deterrant? Detached Youth workers befriending them and pointing out that they have nothing better to do? Why don't they do just that then - nothing. I was bored as a kid and it didn't make me resort to criminal acts just for the thrill (not that it's a thrill for these kids anyway, just a way of life now).
Children will aways push the boundaries, it's only natural. If you don't give them any at all is it any wonder that they end up like this?
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
2:36pm Mon 11 Jun 07
dw78 is right to bemoan the Police 'trying to be their best mate'. If you or I did as these feral kids do we would be arrested on the first occassion the Police attended. Where is their deterrant? Detached Youth workers befriending them and pointing out that they have nothing better to do? Why don't they do just that then - nothing. I was bored as a kid and it didn't make me resort to criminal acts just for the thrill (not that it's a thrill for these kids anyway, just a way of life now).
Children will aways push the boundaries, it's only natural. If you don't give them any at all is it any wonder that they end up like this?
dw78, Worcester says...
2:58pm Mon 11 Jun 07
These yobs who hang arounf Great Oaty Gardens - do their parents:
a) know where they are?;
b)what they are up to?;
c)actually give a toss??
I think the implementation of CCTV on the park would possibly even encourage certain individuals to attempt to wreck even more of the equipment - seeing as they are only too aware of the response time between the police being called and actually arriving at the scene.
dw78, Worcester says...
2:58pm Mon 11 Jun 07
These yobs who hang arounf Great Oaty Gardens - do their parents:
a) know where they are?;
b)what they are up to?;
c)actually give a toss??
I think the implementation of CCTV on the park would possibly even encourage certain individuals to attempt to wreck even more of the equipment - seeing as they are only too aware of the response time between the police being called and actually arriving at the scene.
Jim Evans, says...
4:21pm Mon 11 Jun 07
I am coming round to the view that whatever we do we either mean business or are guilty of giving the usual double message from those in supposed authority.
After a predictable cosmetic commotion, with lots of huffing and puffing, any determination to really deal with the problem is erroded by molly coddling of the culprits and the realisation that our police are hopelessly underesourced to act swiftly or firmly enough to deter these cowardly thugs.
If British society was judged on its parenting capabilities our younger generation would be taken into care!
Either mean business and follow that through with concerted action or surrender your streets.
Jim Evans, says...
4:21pm Mon 11 Jun 07
I am coming round to the view that whatever we do we either mean business or are guilty of giving the usual double message from those in supposed authority.
After a predictable cosmetic commotion, with lots of huffing and puffing, any determination to really deal with the problem is erroded by molly coddling of the culprits and the realisation that our police are hopelessly underesourced to act swiftly or firmly enough to deter these cowardly thugs.
If British society was judged on its parenting capabilities our younger generation would be taken into care!
Either mean business and follow that through with concerted action or surrender your streets.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
5:08pm Mon 11 Jun 07
All very frustrating, but that's all you can do without taking the law into your own hands.
If the kids are too young to be criminally responsble for their actions then the parents must accept the responsibility.
A 'Dangerous Dogs Act' for children? It's moving nearer.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
5:08pm Mon 11 Jun 07
All very frustrating, but that's all you can do without taking the law into your own hands.
If the kids are too young to be criminally responsble for their actions then the parents must accept the responsibility.
A 'Dangerous Dogs Act' for children? It's moving nearer.
dw78, Worcester says...
9:00am Tue 12 Jun 07
dw78, Worcester says...
9:00am Tue 12 Jun 07
Private Sector Worker, Kidderminster says...
11:48am Tue 12 Jun 07
My children are not allowed to go further than 100 yards from the house, as I am afraid what substances they will be offered if they wander out of sight. We should not have to live like this and it is about time the namby pamby police force took the views of the law abiding and clamped down hard on offenders!!
Private Sector Worker, Kidderminster says...
11:48am Tue 12 Jun 07
My children are not allowed to go further than 100 yards from the house, as I am afraid what substances they will be offered if they wander out of sight. We should not have to live like this and it is about time the namby pamby police force took the views of the law abiding and clamped down hard on offenders!!
Jim Evans, says...
1:59pm Tue 12 Jun 07
Yesterday I heard the BBC blaming them for the "honour" killing of a British woman, when anyone with a grain of fairness would have to recognise the heavy involvement of the BBC in creating this bewildering, violent, multicultural society in which we live.
Not only are longstanding cultural values "celebrated" and ring fenced from police attention (until a disaster happens like the London bombings) but young people of all "communities" are actively encouraged by the media to attack authority of all kinds.
I seldom agree with Mr Blair,but I do agree that it`s time to tackle the infantile approach of the liberal media to anything which challenges their easy cynicism about everything policemen or other people in democratic authority do.They are also guilty of a horrible form of personal abuse which extends to gratuitous sneering about the personal appearance of people in the public eye.
This creates a nasty, small minded, mentality which we see acted out all around us.
Our society is paralysed with every form of disrespect and self doubt while a lawless minority increasingly do as they please.
Jim Evans, says...
1:59pm Tue 12 Jun 07
Yesterday I heard the BBC blaming them for the "honour" killing of a British woman, when anyone with a grain of fairness would have to recognise the heavy involvement of the BBC in creating this bewildering, violent, multicultural society in which we live.
Not only are longstanding cultural values "celebrated" and ring fenced from police attention (until a disaster happens like the London bombings) but young people of all "communities" are actively encouraged by the media to attack authority of all kinds.
I seldom agree with Mr Blair,but I do agree that it`s time to tackle the infantile approach of the liberal media to anything which challenges their easy cynicism about everything policemen or other people in democratic authority do.They are also guilty of a horrible form of personal abuse which extends to gratuitous sneering about the personal appearance of people in the public eye.
This creates a nasty, small minded, mentality which we see acted out all around us.
Our society is paralysed with every form of disrespect and self doubt while a lawless minority increasingly do as they please.
JK81, Warndon Villages says...
3:55pm Tue 12 Jun 07
JK81, Warndon Villages says...
3:55pm Tue 12 Jun 07
Private Sector Worker, Kidderminster says...
8:11am Wed 13 Jun 07
Private Sector Worker, Kidderminster says...
8:11am Wed 13 Jun 07
Jim Evans, says...
10:22am Wed 13 Jun 07
Jim Evans, says...
10:22am Wed 13 Jun 07
dw78, Worcester says...
2:07pm Wed 13 Jun 07
dw78, Worcester says...
2:07pm Wed 13 Jun 07
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
3:12pm Wed 13 Jun 07
The kids can do anything they like, their parents aren't there 80% of the time and the other 20% they're told to shut-up and are booted outside to amuse themselves as far away as possible.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
3:12pm Wed 13 Jun 07
The kids can do anything they like, their parents aren't there 80% of the time and the other 20% they're told to shut-up and are booted outside to amuse themselves as far away as possible.
JK81, Warndon Villages says...
3:52pm Wed 13 Jun 07
It's a bit of a cop out if a parent is going to say the reason that their child is making the lives of their neighbours a misery is because they are too tired to care. I work full time, will have to continue to do so when I have children yet I assure you that no child of mine will hang around taking drugs, drinking and generally making a nuisance of themselves. If they did I would certainly welcome any punishment the Police would like to throw at them.
I know for a fact from teaching in a secondary school that kids these days are just laughing in the face of authority. If only I had a quid for every time I was informed that a pupil 'knew his rights'! If they think it is acceptable to physically and verbally abuse those there to help them have a future then of course they are going to run riot in their free time.
It's no good making excuses for their behaviour, it is unacceptable and needs stamping out NOW before things get even worse. If CCTV will help do this then I am all for it as I have said before.
JK81, Warndon Villages says...
3:52pm Wed 13 Jun 07
It's a bit of a cop out if a parent is going to say the reason that their child is making the lives of their neighbours a misery is because they are too tired to care. I work full time, will have to continue to do so when I have children yet I assure you that no child of mine will hang around taking drugs, drinking and generally making a nuisance of themselves. If they did I would certainly welcome any punishment the Police would like to throw at them.
I know for a fact from teaching in a secondary school that kids these days are just laughing in the face of authority. If only I had a quid for every time I was informed that a pupil 'knew his rights'! If they think it is acceptable to physically and verbally abuse those there to help them have a future then of course they are going to run riot in their free time.
It's no good making excuses for their behaviour, it is unacceptable and needs stamping out NOW before things get even worse. If CCTV will help do this then I am all for it as I have said before.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
8:10pm Wed 13 Jun 07
My brother's a teacher also, and the outright abuse he receives fom so called 'middle class' children is beyond believe. We can only hope that in the near future there is a major swing towards developing a friendly, responsible and law abiding society.
Jim, the police have enough sway with the government, and support from the public, to point out that they are ham-strung by legislation and target beating. But from what I've seen and heard they seem take the path of least resistance and haven't got the balls to confront our policy makers with the plain truth that since Thatcher presented us with the 'There's no society only the individual' mantra and Blair gave all the thugs Carte Blanche to follow her selfish edict by protecting their rights whatever the cost, the Police are basically stuffed when it come to law and order. Time for them to stand up themselves for their profession methinks.
The teachers try to, but they have less clout.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
8:10pm Wed 13 Jun 07
My brother's a teacher also, and the outright abuse he receives fom so called 'middle class' children is beyond believe. We can only hope that in the near future there is a major swing towards developing a friendly, responsible and law abiding society.
Jim, the police have enough sway with the government, and support from the public, to point out that they are ham-strung by legislation and target beating. But from what I've seen and heard they seem take the path of least resistance and haven't got the balls to confront our policy makers with the plain truth that since Thatcher presented us with the 'There's no society only the individual' mantra and Blair gave all the thugs Carte Blanche to follow her selfish edict by protecting their rights whatever the cost, the Police are basically stuffed when it come to law and order. Time for them to stand up themselves for their profession methinks.
The teachers try to, but they have less clout.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
8:10pm Wed 13 Jun 07
My brother's a teacher also, and the outright abuse he receives fom so called 'middle class' children is beyond believe. We can only hope that in the near future there is a major swing towards developing a friendly, responsible and law abiding society.
Jim, the police have enough sway with the government, and support from the public, to point out that they are ham-strung by legislation and target beating. But from what I've seen and heard they seem take the path of least resistance and haven't got the balls to confront our policy makers with the plain truth that since Thatcher presented us with the 'There's no society only the individual' mantra and Blair gave all the thugs Carte Blanche to follow her selfish edict by protecting their rights whatever the cost, the Police are basically stuffed when it come to law and order. Time for them to stand up themselves for their profession methinks.
The teachers try to, but they have less clout.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
8:10pm Wed 13 Jun 07
My brother's a teacher also, and the outright abuse he receives fom so called 'middle class' children is beyond believe. We can only hope that in the near future there is a major swing towards developing a friendly, responsible and law abiding society.
Jim, the police have enough sway with the government, and support from the public, to point out that they are ham-strung by legislation and target beating. But from what I've seen and heard they seem take the path of least resistance and haven't got the balls to confront our policy makers with the plain truth that since Thatcher presented us with the 'There's no society only the individual' mantra and Blair gave all the thugs Carte Blanche to follow her selfish edict by protecting their rights whatever the cost, the Police are basically stuffed when it come to law and order. Time for them to stand up themselves for their profession methinks.
The teachers try to, but they have less clout.
Jim Evans, says...
9:01pm Wed 13 Jun 07
Policemen live in a feudal hierarchy and the ones who get to the top do so by "managing" unrest in the ranks,rather than giving expression to it,I would guess.
Jim Evans, says...
9:01pm Wed 13 Jun 07
Policemen live in a feudal hierarchy and the ones who get to the top do so by "managing" unrest in the ranks,rather than giving expression to it,I would guess.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
8:33am Thu 14 Jun 07
The kids can do anything they like, their parents aren't there 80% of the time and the other 20% they're told to shut-up and are booted outside to amuse themselves as far away as possible.
FishMonkeyMan, A Better Place says...
8:33am Thu 14 Jun 07
The kids can do anything they like, their parents aren't there 80% of the time and the other 20% they're told to shut-up and are booted outside to amuse themselves as far away as possible.
Jim Evans, says...
1:37pm Thu 14 Jun 07
Guess what,families stay together,children and old people are happier on average and working people are significantly more productive as a result.
But we have to follow American Grabgrind Scroogeanomics,and sack everyone who doesn`t work themselves to death!
Jim Evans, says...
1:37pm Thu 14 Jun 07
Guess what,families stay together,children and old people are happier on average and working people are significantly more productive as a result.
But we have to follow American Grabgrind Scroogeanomics,and sack everyone who doesn`t work themselves to death!
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FishMonkeyMan, A Better PLace says...
9:53am Mon 11 Jun 07
When are the Police going to do something about this increasing problem? We have more coppers now than at any time and yet they may as well be an endangered species. Please, do call Spring Watch if you see one.
If they generally don't get involved due to the pathetic targets culture we now have, then here's the ideal opportunity to get out from behind their desks or out their nice air conditioned cars and raise those percentages.
Hint: Here are two places where, if you can be bothered to hang around for half an hour you can catch a handful of criminal vandals red-handed... EVERY NIGHT. You could even search them... and hey presto, two more arrests for offensive weapons and drugs offences. Not rocket science is it?
Go on, make their lives as much of a misery as they do ours.
As for Coun Simon Geraghty's comments, Coun Simon Geraghty, leader of the city council, said: "There are so many potential ways of spending the £84,000 but the council has made it clear it will be put in reserves until the next Government spending round has been announced.
WHY??? Are the Council waiting for the sky to fall in?
"I wouldn't dispute that Warndon suffers from anti-social behaviour, but we would need to look at the evidence before we go down this line."
When the Council has to replace all the play equipment at a cost of over £84,000 will that be enough evidence for them? Will they resign due to wasting tax payers money at that point?
I thought not.