Volunteers manning CCTV in Cirencester (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Volunteers manning CCTV in Cirencester

8:30am Thursday 30th July 2009 in Blogs By Standard reporter

NOTHING ever succeeds if it is not given a chance in the first place.

The leader of Cotswold District Council has delayed a scheme to recruit volunteers in Cirencester to man the CCTV system until the results of the latest police operation are ready.

But there is such strong feeling in the town that something needs to actively be done to stop violence and anti-social behaviour at night.

The feeling has reached a peak since the tragic death of Tim Jennings who was attacked in the Market Place last month.

At his funeral, his godfather urged the town's leaders to, "act fast, act firm, act now."

So why does the council not strike while the iron is hot and gather a willing group of people to help make sure the CCTV cameras are monitored 24 hours a day.

Just because a certain faction at CDC do not feel the scheme will succeed, is no reason for abandoning it, particularly as there is very little or no harm that could be done by conducting the experiment.

It has been done in other councils, such as Exmouth, so why not here.

This is one time when councils should not be given the luxury of procrastination.

The next full council meeting is too far away and by the time councillors make a decision, it could be too little, too late.

The police have upped the ante by patrolling the streets at peak times over the weekends but residents may feel that their elected representatives are not giving them a chance to do their bit.

Now is the time to act and make a step in a positive direction.