Controversial Birmingham surveillance cameras are taken down

by Jasbir Authi,

Birmingham Mail May 10 2011

Police have been criticised for installing new cameras recently.

WORK has started to remove secret surveillance cameras which were part of a highly controversial counter-terrorism initiative from two predominately Muslim Birmingham suburbs.

A team of contractors began taking down some of the 218 CCTV and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) in the Sparkhill and Washwood Heath areas yesterday.

The cameras, which were set up as part of the £3 million Project Champion, were dramatically shelved following a massive public outcry over the lack of formal consultation.

They would have logged the vehicle details of everybody entering or leaving these areas, leading to accusations that they were being used to spy on Muslims.

It had been revealed that it could cost up to £630,000 to remove all the cameras this month. The grey towers which held the cameras will be taken down at a later date.

Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe watched the first covert monitor being removed on leafy Hodge Hill Road near to Stechford Road.

Asst Chief Cons Rowe said: “The work starting today shows that we have listened to what our communities wanted and acted upon those wishes.

“We have liaised closely with our communities to keep them informed of developments and when they can expect cameras to be removed from actual streets.

“I would like to stress that the cameras have never been operational.

“We accept that mistakes were made and we are keen to learn the lessons that emerged from the review into Project Champion. The removal of the cameras is part of that learning process.

“Our neighbourhood teams will now focus on forging closer links with local communities across the affected areas.”

Springfield volunteer and grandfather-of-eight Mohammed Suleman, aged 58, said: “The whole community had spoken against the cameras. They were not happy with them. We sent out a strong message to the police and after consulting with groups, they listened to us.”

Councillor Salma Yaqoob (Respect Sparkhill) said: “It’s fantastic that they are taking the cameras down. It’s taken time, a lot of campaigning but finally they came down. I’d like to thank the efforts of Steve Jolly who, as a local resident and activist, helped us to work together.”

‘SALMA YAQOOB AND OTHER COUNCILLORS AGREED IN THE BIGINIG FOR THE POLICE TO INSTOL THE SPYING CAMERAS  UNTIL MEMBERS OF THE BUBIC OBJECTED TO THE PROJECT SALMA CAM FROM NOWEAR AGAINST THE PROJECT TIPICAL PILOTION’ SHOAD ADMIN

A decision over the future use of the removed cameras, some of which could be resold or redeployed elsewhere, will be made by the Police Authority after a consultation process has taken place with the community.

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