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Big Brother’s looking and talking to you all

James Crisp
13/12/2006

COUNCILLORS' plans to review the borough's CCTV system led to a bizarre discussion into the merits of attaching loudspeakers to cameras.

Councillor Howard Murray, speaking at last Thursday's town hall meeting of the scrutiny committee, mentioned an article in a government magazine extolling the virtues of the system - which allows officers in control rooms to shout warnings at yobs and litterbugs.

But there was no suggestion that the move could come to Macclesfield.

Coun Murray said: "Apparently there is a large effect when a voice booms out: 'Pick it up or you're nicked'.

Referring to George Orwell's 1984, Coun Adrian Bradley said in an aside: "Didn't someone write a book about that?"

He then added: "I can see Vic Barlow writing his article already!"

The committee were laying out plans to review the effectiveness of CCTV in the borough.

The councillors will be looking at how the current system could be improved, whether the current technology is value for money or if the money could be better spent on Police Community Support Officers.

Although the item was only to scope the review, rather than a debate on the merits of the system - it became clear that for some CCTV is a very controversial issue.

When Coun Brendan Murphy said too much CCTV could be seen as an attempt to "control the whole population", Coun Murray joked: "I wish we could."

But the former major, who is leading the review, emphasised that CCTV did not need to be confined to just "cameras on poles" - and could include van-based mobile cameras and cameras embedded in bus stations.

When plans for a factfinding mission to Middlesborough to see their CCTV system were mentioned, Coun Brendan Murphy referred to a story published recently in the Macclesfield Express - regarding a controversial and pricey trip for councillors.

He said: "Regarding the visit to the other authority; we don't want another jolly jaunt round the country in a luxury coach."

The review will begin in the new year.