If Wigan Council’s control room spot you on CCTV in Atherton you could end up facing a hefty … prize.
An awareness-raising event on July 20 by councillors and local shop and pubwatch co-ordinators sees the public invited to ‘smile for the camera’ and have their picture taken by CCTV. A couple won shopping vouchers. The aim: to show the public how effective the council’s borough-wide, 500-camera system is.
Council say
Council principal officer for security Terry Bolton says: “The CCTV cameras have many different uses but we are frequently asked to use them to cover illegal behaviour, everything from public drunkenness to shoplifting, thefts and robberies. The system we have in Wigan is so effective and comprehensive that footage from our cameras has been used in some very high profile court cases to help secure convictions.” Atherton town centre has recently had a new column with four new cameras on the town square.
Atherleigh Ward Councillor Sue Loudon says: “We are really pleased with the new cameras for Atherton town centre. While we don’t have many anti-social behaviour problems we believe it will make shoppers, the business community and people enjoying a night out feel more secure. On the awareness-raising day we will be asking shoppers to have their photo taken by the new cameras and then we will be choosing a couple at random to win some pretty impressive shopping voucher prizes.”
Prizes have been donated by the Atherton branch of Boots and other traders in the town who support the project. The event has also benefited from Brighter Borough funding.
Cllr Loudon adds: “It’s a bit of fun but behind it is the really serious message that the new CCTV cameras are here and they really do work.”
