The trade union GMB has expressed concerns that councils across the UK are running down the active monitoring of CCTV cameras in town centres and estates.
<br><br>This is according to the trade union a false economy as a u-turn in estates in Lambeth this week shows, it’s claimed; as two days after the active monitoring of CCTV cameras near the heart of Brixton was stopped there was looting in the area<br><br> <br>This is to save money, the union says. The councils are doing so by reducing the numbers of disabled workers engaged in this work and numbers have already been made redundant. Workers are being asked to work longer shifts to cover the hours. <br><br>Some councils like Hayle in Cornwall have already ceased to monitor the cameras. Newquay council also in Cornwall plan to stop monitoring these cameras by end of August, the GMB report.<br><br>On Thursday, August 4, residents groups covering four estates near Brixton decided to stop paying Remploy to monitor cameras and the eight disabled GMB members doing the job were sent home on gardening leave. There was looting in Brixton on Sunday, August 6. The GMB members were asked to return to work on Monday, August 7 to resume monitoring of CCTV cameras on Angel Town, Loughborough and Hertford estates. Although residents face a weekly charge for this service the resumption of monitoring is for a temporary period. <br><br>Phil Davies GMB National Secretary for Remploy said: โRemploy disabled workers have been made redundant as councils all across the UK cut back on resources used to monitor CCTV around the clock. The resources left are being spread thinner. <br><br>"This is a false economy as the u-turn in estates in Lambeth this week shows. Two days after the active monitoring of CCTV cameras near heart of Brixton was stopped there was major looting in the area. The workers were back to work on Monday on a temporary basis. CCTV is now an essential tool in preventing and combating crime and reducing anti social behaviour. The Tory Liberal Government promised that frontline services would not be cut but this is not the case as far as CCTV active monitoring is concerned. GMB want to see Government reversing these cuts. Surely it is better that disabled workers be employed protecting our communities than being made to live on welfare.โ
