Basildon CCTV to cut down on crime ‘not turned on’

The camera was put in place in the alleyway connecting Great Gregorie and Nether Mayne in April following a campaign led by independent councillor Kerry Smith.

The alleyway had been plagued by “drug users and drug dealers”, Mr Smith said.

UK Power Networks has pledged to connect the CCTV to the power grid this month.

“I thought people shouldn’t have to take the law into their own hands, so I got onto Basildon Council asking for CCTV,”

Mr Smith said.

In April of this year CCTV was installed – at the cost of £16,000 to Basildon Council, according to Cllr Smith.

However, the camera has been out of operation this whole time as it has yet to be connected to the power grid.

The council says it has been in “constant communication”

with electricity provider UK Power Networks over the issue.

“Now it’s all installed it can’t be switched on because UK Power Networks can’t find an hour or two of their time to get it working,” continued Mr Smith.

“During the summer it hasn’t been a problem. But now the nights are drawing in, people are getting worried.

“The idea is, if someone was walking down that alleyway and something happened, the council could see it in real time and take appropriate measures.”

UK Power Networks had pledged to undertake the work to connect the CCTV this grid this month and claims work process required “additional safety measures”, due to high foot-fall, before work could begin.

A spokesperson for UK Power Networks said: “We are in close contact with Basildon Council to finalise this connection request as soon as possible and book a date this month for the work.

“The location is a busy pedestrian area which our site visit revealed would require additional public safety measures for us to work with electricity there, including a possible footpath closure. We apologise for the delay in completing this work and any inconvenience caused.”

Basildon Council has been contacted for comment.