Criminals in Wetherby have been dealt a blow after a local paper’s campaign for CCTV took a further step forward.

The town has been shortlisted to have spy cameras fitted after the Wetherby News joined forces with local MP Colin Burgon to lobby Home Office Minister Charles Clarke.

Competition for CCTV is fierce – £90m is available nationally but bids totalling £250m have now been submitted.

The Wetherby News collected 1,000 signatures in support of cameras being fitted and presented the petition to the town council.

Now the town has been shortlisted for CCTV – and those involved in the campaign are thrilled.

Mr Burgon said: “I am pleased to say that the outline bid for CCTV in Wetherby has been assessed as suitable for further development and the partnership has therefore been invited to prepare a fully worked out proposal.

“I am delighted that we have got over the first hurdle. It is a major boost for the Wetherby News campaign which I have been closely involved with.

“I have been vigorously lobbying Home Office Minister Charles Clarke and he is fully aware of the importance of it.”

President of the town’s chamber of trade, James Jones, said: “This is great news to us and to the town. Let’s hope that Wetherby gets a fair crack of the whip and we wil lbve delighted when the town gets its share.

“Crime in the town is getting worse as weeks go by, people are coming from other areas into Wetherby to drink and fight as they know there are no cameras around.”

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or e-mail us now