The London Daily News

Editorial

Londoner's know the city is more dangerous.   Just take a bus ride, sit on the tube, walk down any road and you will see that violence is much worse and it’s not getting better.  So, let’s ask the question.  Is a fat controller sitting in front of screens linked to cameras on the streets likely to make the streets safer and deter criminals?  

According to the "intelligent" local authorities who have spent £515 million in the last four years on more camera's, CCTV does deter criminals.  Well, that simply is not the case, criminals who smashed the hell out of Tottenham and Wood Green during the Summer riots, did not care if they were caught on camera.  What we needed was more police officers, and less technology.  We need more visible cops, and less remote controlled policing.  If we accept that many of the crimes committed are of drunk, drugged up thugs, do they even know what planet they are on, Let alone consider they may feature on "caught on camera".

CCTV may allow police to spot criminals, and even lead to detection of suspects, but lets not let allow this to replace physically present cops who should show the force of the law when they are required.