CLARK LODGES MOTION CALLING ON COUNCIL TO INSTALL CCTV IN RENFREWSHIRE’S PARKS

Labour councillor Graeme Clark has again formally called on Renfrewshire Council to review its CCTV policy with the aim of placing cameras in all of Renfrewshire’s main parks.

The local representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston has now submitted a motion, seconded by Councillor Ben Smith, to the council following a high-profile incident that took place in the town’s Brodie Park recently.

Police investigating the incident were forced to appeal for private CCTV footage to try to identify and apprehend the offender due to a lack of public cameras in operation.

This action is Cllr Clark’s latest after he previously wrote to council chief executive, Alan Russell, in April to call for the installation of CCTV at Barshaw Park after reports of men filming children there caused widespread public concern.

The idea of CCTV in Barshaw gained significant public support, with over 1,000 local people signing a petition on the issue, but it was deemed by the council as “not a priority”.

Cllr Clark has criticised Renfrewshire Council’s inaction on the issue following the latest incident at Brodie Park.

The motion will be debated and put to a vote at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 11th December. If successful, CCTV will finally be extended to Renfrewshire’s main parks.

Councillor Graeme Clark said: “I am horrified by what took place at Brodie Park recently, and my thoughts are with the victim at this extremely difficult time.

“The need for CCTV in our local parks could not be clearer – to help deter crime as well as to aid police investigations – and I am deeply disappointed that the council appears not to have heeded my previous calls on the issue whatsoever.

“The council can no longer ignore the need for this and that’s why I have lodged this motion. Councillors clearly need to take a lead on the issue of community safety.

“The council must urgently reconsider its approach to its CCTV policy and finally take action to install cameras in all of Renfrewshire’s main parks so that people here can feel safe in their own area.

“Our parks should be safe for women, safe for children and safe for all. I would urge councillors from all parties and none to back my motion and roll out CCTV in our parks.

“We all believe in public safety and surely we can all come together on a matter like this.”