Eastleigh woman’s anger at plans to scrap ‘vital’ CCTV

Lifelong resident Steph Brooks is urging Eastleigh Borough Council to rethink the move for the safety of women and girls.

A consultation was launched by the council in July after it was revealed the maintenance of the cameras was unaffordable.

The cost-cutting measure would help the debt-laden council, which has more than £2,500 worth of debt per resident.

The annual cost of more than £30,000 for the cameras was deemed increasingly difficult to justify, according to the local authority.

But fears have been sparked at the possible loss of the cameras, which were recently praised by Hampshire Constabulary.

'The safety of women and girls should be priority' 

A consultation has been launched on the CCTV in Eastleigh (Image: Stuart Martin)

Steph, 33, said CCTV acts as a deterrent and will leave people in the town centre vulnerable to crime.

She said: “The amount of crime that happens in this area is a lot, and women and girls’ safety should be the main priority.

“If there is no CCTV, what incentive is there for a man not to spike a woman’s drink, bundle her into a car, then harm her?

“But it protects men from crimes as well as people often ask to see CCTV as a way to successfully prosecute.

“CCTV can even hold the police accountable. Sarah Everard was picked up on CCTV, so there was no denying what happened to her.”

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Steph said the news of the consultation was “tucked away at the bottom” of a council newsletter.

She fears that people will not be aware of the potential changes.

Steph said: “I can’t fathom the town centre having no CCTV. The council will cut corners by any means.

“The council will stop paying for anything they don’t need to pay for, but I am shocked the council would pick something so important to the public’s safety.

“I want the public to be aware of this, and to complete the survey.

“From catcalling and being touched inappropriately in bars, the spiking of women and women being punched, not having CCTV is insane.

“Eastleigh is not some safe, rural neighbourhood town.”

Praise for CCTV

Following the announcement of the consultation, Hampshire Constabulary confirmed officers will be having constructive conversations with the council.

The force recently praised the cameras in the town after responding to a call from a CCTV controller who captured a fight on Monday morning.

Using this footage, officers apprehended a 62-year-old male from Southampton who was arrested on suspicion of assault.

“The use of CCTV cameras in Eastleigh town centre and the surrounding areas can help play a key role in the detection, prevention and deterrence of crime, which in turn provides for a reduction in the fear of crime and reassurance to those who live and work in the community”, said Eastleigh inspector Andy Mooge.

He added: “Our officers continue to work in partnership with the council and commissioned services as part of their routine patrols, and those in the night time economy, to identify perpetrators who pose a risk to those in the community – especially women and girls - whilst looking at ways to improve the safety of these environments, in order to prevent offending and identify those who may be vulnerable and help them.”

Unanswered questions

The Daily Echo asked the council if money was not put aside for the maintenance of the CCTV cameras, and whether the safety of women and girls has been considered.

A spokesperson said in reply: “The consultation on the provision of town centre CCTV cameras is now under way and the views of town centre residents, visitors and businesses are important and will be taken into account as part of the decision-making process.”

The consultation runs until September 18 and can be completed on the council’s website.