Wem CCTV pictures 'too grainy' to be of any use

CCTV cameras in Wem have flopped because the images are too "grainy" to be of any use, it has been claimed.

Wem Town Council heard claims last night that CCTV cameras in the town were failing to provide crisp images that could realistically result in offenders being brought to justice.

Councillors discussed the issue after receiving a letter from Wem United Services Club, in Leek Street, where members have complained a CCTV camera in the grounds has apparently done nothing to deter boy racers from causing a nuisance outside.

The letter said: "One member said he spoken to a local policeman about the problem, and had been told that the public had to do the legwork in writing down registration numbers and times and dates of incidents before police can firstly issue a warning to the driver, and on the next occasion, confiscate their vehicle."

Councillor Peggy Carson said: "The noise from the boy racers is horrendous and I don't know how the police expect people to go outside and take down vehicle registration numbers when they're supposed to be playing bingo."

Councillor John Murray said: "A couple of years ago the police were much more active on the boy racers issue and now it's raising its head again. We should ask them to improve the situation and take action to curb it."

Councillor Philip Glover told the meeting: "The police have said to me before that they cannot see people's faces on the CCTV system."

He said images released by police for a public appeal following a reported theft in the town recently were so unclear it was probably not worth doing so. He added that if the cameras could not show faces clearly, they would also be unable to pick up car registration plates accurately.

The meeting heard the camera system belongs to the town council but is monitored by police and other agencies.

Members agreed to write to police to raise their concerns and call for "immediate action" to be taken about the problem of boy racers .

Sergeant Julian Hinds, of Wem police, said: "Police have not received any complaints for several months about the boy racers in the town or been given any evidence that such behaviour is taking place.The policing team is happy to speak with the group about its concerns."