Wandsworth CCTV shamed again

If there were a world cup for the use and abuse of CCTV, Wandsworth would have sailed through to the final unbeaten.

They were comfortably in our top ten for number of cameras (1113) and cameras per 1000 people (4.3) when we released our study into local council CCTV. 

We have covered several different stories about dodgy camera placement and dubious fines, all of which came from Wandsworth.

And they were pretty bad offenders for the use of CCTV Smart cars (£215,000 in 12 months), as detailed in our new report released yesterday.

But today Wandsworth has once again shown how it's done, raking in a staggering £1.2 million a year, by catching drivers stopping outside train stations, as the Wandsworth Guardian explains:

More than 21,000 fines of between £60 and £120 were issued for motoring offences such as stopping to drop off family and friends.

Neil Bennett, 60, from Blandfield Road in Balham, was caught twice in the same night in Grant Road behind Clapham Junction when he went to collect someone.

He said: “For a total of 40 seconds outside the station, the fine was £240. I didn’t realise I wasn’t allowed to do it, there wasn’t adequate signage.'

Residents' groups, motoring groups and disability groups are all lining up to slam this blatant money-making exercise. No one was asked whether this camera was needed and, apparently, no one was told.

Stories like this just add weight to our call for public consultation before any CCTV system is installed.

By Dylan Sharpe

Comments

[Bennage]

Methinks they might get a visit from the NoToMob some time soon...

[Bruce]

Of course, locals can join www.NoToMob.co.uk too. We will have to pop down and show them how it's done ;-)

[cycling clothing]

Neil Bennett, 60, from Blandfield Road in Balham, was caught twice in the same night in Grant Road behind Clapham Junction when he went to collect someone.