Knutsford Town Council considered a proposal at last night's meeting to install a camera which records vehicle registration plates.
Inspector Steve Griffiths put forward the proposal of having an automatic number plate recognition camera installed, to track suspicious vehicles, at the recent Local Area Partnership (LAP) meeting on September 29th.
He asked whether Knutsford Town Council would support this because funding could be applied for to have a camera mounted on an existing lamp post at a cost of £7000.
An ANPR camera can record hundreds of number plates in a minute and provide crucial information about people who travel into the town from other areas to commit crimes.
ANPR cameras have recently been installed in Wilmslow but the Town Council was divided on the issue, with several councillors strongly against the idea.
Cllr Gary Lasham said "I am strongly opposed to this, we are already the most videod nation in Europe, it is the video version of the gated community."
Cllr Tony Dean agreed saying "In my experience cameras usually start with a fine purpose but almost always end up being used to catch speeding motors. Unless it is absolutely necessary I strongly oppose it."
Cllr Peter Coen commented "I support any efforts to reduce crime but this system being proposed will not affect or reduce crime in Knutsford in any way, shape or form. People who want to commit a smash and grab will just avoid the camera.
"I am also concerned about the ongoing cost, staffing and examination which needs to be looked at. I really think one camera positioned on one street will do nothing."
Cllr Simon Hutchence added "I oppose this from a civil liberties point. I am wholeheartedly against it. My permission has not been sought for me to be filmed going about my daily business."
Cllr Peter Raynes spoke in support of installing an ANPR camera, he said "This is about serious crime not speeding, the evidence is these cameras record and note stolen vehicles.
"We're not talking about local people here, it's about people from Liverpool and Stoke who come into town. It would not be used for trivial offences, it would be used for serious offences."
Councillors then decided to take a vote to decide whether they would like Inspector Griffiths to come along to speak to them about this at the November meeting.
Cllr Lasham said "I don't see any need for that, the majority it seems are against it in principle so I don't see the need for further clarification."
The vote was very close with six councillors voting against the motion and seven wishing to take the matter further.
Cllr Stewart Gardiner concluded the discussion by proposing from the chair that "we invite Inspector Griffiths to come to the next meeting to provide additional information and after that we can debate this further."
Inspector Steve Griffiths said: "Knutsford NPU is working closely with the council and other partners to tackle the issues that matter to the community. At the Local Area Partnership meeting it was decided that one of the ways would be to get joint funding on an ANPR camera for Knutsford as we don't have one at present.
"The Automatic Number Plate Recognition Camera will help with our fight against rural crime, as well as helping us to find missing, vulnerable people, and those wanted for crimes in our community.
"The camera can identify numberplates front and back, automatically flagging up anyone wanted or missing. It will also gather vital intelligence to tackle crime and would be a valuable asset."
What do you think about having an ANPR camera in Knutsford, share your thoughts via the comment box below?
