Camera vigilantes on patrol

A residents group in Braithwaite is launching a trailblazing "spy in the window" campaign to tackle crime, vandalism and arson. Householders will be given high-tech video cameras to record the antics of the teenage tearaways by day and night.

And posters will be stuck across the entire Braithwaite and Guard House estate warning youngsters that they are under surveillance.

Video evidence will be passed to Keighley police and Bradford Council's tenancy enforcement unit so offenders can be prosecuted.

The council yesterday agreed to look at evidence collected by Braithwaite People's Association through its new Community Action Video Equipment (CAVE) initiative.

And the police offered to train the camera operators so they do not break laws such as the new human rights act.

For several months, BPA members have campaigned for a greater police presence on the estate and a council clampdown on the rowdy ringleaders.

The final straw came when residents of Braithwaite Road, above the estate, added their voice to demands for protection for homes and cars. Among their ideas to cut down on crime, vandalism and arson were CCTV cameras and better street lighting.

Braithwaite People's Association decided at its annual meeting last week to make available its three state-of-the-art video cameras.

The equipment was bought three years ago with lottery money, as part of a £23,000 grant, and can be used at night or zoom-in on people more than half-a-mile away.

The cameras will be mounted in windows, hidden in empty houses and operated from parked or moving cars.

They will be made available to residents on the council estate itself, as well as surrounding areas such as Blackhill, Braithwaite Village, West Bank Close and higher Highfield.

The association also hopes to gather video evidence of alcohol being sold to under-age drinkers and motorists speeding around the estate.

Mick Westerman, the chairman, says the CAVE plans met with no resistance during a meeting with police last week, and he sees this as a sign that "enough is enough". He said: "If there are going to be no-go areas on the estate it will not be for residents, but the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour.

"We may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but it will take a bit more hard work to see it through."

John Philip, the association's treasurer, added: "There are going to be no hiding places. People have had enough." Anyone who can suggest suitable spots for the cameras to be mounted should phone the association on 01535 610200.

Mr Westerman also wants to hear from firms willing to donate Hi 8 video tapes for the cameras.

Chief Superintendent Roger Gasson, of Keighley police, this week gave cautious support to the association's plan.

But he warned that the camera operators could breach human rights laws unless they took care what and where they filmed. He offered a meeting with his intelligence officer to give the same training provided to police officers who use video cameras.

The Keighley police equipment is either taken on patrol by officers or placed in the homes of people suffering from crime.

Mr Gasson said: "They have to be aware of strict guidelines in using video film as evidence. They must not infringe on someone's private life."

Mr Gasson stressed the importance of agencies and residents working in partnership on long-term solutions to problems such as anti-social behaviour. He added that a government-funded scheme recently started in Braithwaite to cut burglaries through a range of innovative measures.

Geraldine Howley, the council's housing director, yesterday said she recognised the concerns of residents and her team would carry on gathering evidence to eliminate anti-social behaviour. She added: "We are working with the police and community to resolve the problems of troublemakers causing damage and harassing tenants on the estate.

"The tenancy enforcement team will look at any evidence provided by the cameras and we hope they will be used carefully within the community."