A CCTV system with loudspeakers, allowing operators to tell off offenders, has been installed in Preston. Residents in the Meadow Street area of Deepdale launched the 24/7 CCTV scheme – and it is the first of its kind in Preston.
It was set up by the CRaB (Community, Residents and Businesses) group which formed after residents vowed to take a stand against louts dragging down the area’s reputation. In their own words, they want to put the pride back into Preston.
In September, residents invited the local Evening Post newspaper to spend an evening with them to highlight how prostitutes and drug dealers were causing misery on people’s doorsteps. The newspaper found drug dealing from two local phone boxes and how a small park on East View was used by sex workers.
These areas will now partly be covered by the CCTV. The launch comes just three weeks after 42 cars had their tyres slashed in the area.
Retired engineer Robin Maudsley, the CraB chairman, headed the project with Stan Mitchell, who is the neighbourhood manager for Prime Focus which helped secure funding.
Robin said: "We fought hard for this scheme because we were sick of low-life scum bringing down the area. The speakers are an added bonus.
"The equipment is virtually vandal proof. It will mean we can stop trouble before it starts. When the issue of the noise of the speakers disturbing people was raised, it was soon agreed the noise of a friendly voice was better than the sound of breaking glass and fighting."
The £26,000 project will be monitored by Shepherd Security in Stanley Street, Preston. Staff will shout messages to trouble makers. In addition to the two speakers, sited at Essa Newsagents, there are six cameras sited at McKenna’s Funeral home, Essa’s and various residents’ homes in car crime and damage hotspots.
Heather Shepherd, of Shepherd Security, said: "It is the first scheme in Preston where loudspeakers have been used. It will enable us to intervene in cases of anti-social behaviour.
"Where we spot drug dealing or prostitutes we will remain silent and monitor it on the cameras until the police get there.
"Once we have got a few prosecutions it will send out the message that if you commit crime you will be caught."
She said the operators could shout phrases like "You in the red hoodie – stop" or in violent situations "Please stop – you are being monitored."
