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Cameras zoom in on motorists
CCTV installed to combat drug crime and theft is used to nab
parking cheats
CCTV cameras set up to catch drug addicts and pickpockets in Soho are being used against parking cheats.
The Soho Organised Business Association is mobilising against the council following a raft of fines taken by CCTV cameras in Frith Street and Old Compton Street.
It says the council’s CCTV-mobile, complete with submarine-style periscope, is now chasing daytime parking cheats, not night-time criminals.
It claims the cameras have gone from monitoring health and safety to collecting revenue for the council.
Tony Polledri, the owner of family-run Little Italy in Frith Street, said: “We were assured that the monitors at the top of Frith Street and Old Compton Street were not being used for parking. But all the tickets are coming with stills from those cameras.
“This is just about collecting revenue. I get offered crack cocaine every night in Soho, so what exactly are these cameras doing?
“It is hard to get cabs to come to pick up customers and delivery drivers are not coming any more.
“My sister got a ticket for jump-starting another car in Frith Street. The camera does not tell the whole story. They are killing the golden goose.”
“We have the Olympics coming and there is so much good ahead.”
He added: “I know of at least two restaurants that are thinking of shutting up because of this.”
Paul Watters, from the IAM Motoring Trust, said: “An attendant on the street will stop many chancers from parking illegally whereas a camera clicks away remotely and it won’t spot the blue badge or note on the windscreen about the car being broken down.”
Alastair Gilchrist, Westminster City Council’s director of parking said: “If drivers are receiving parking tickets, it is because they are parking illegally. Any increase in the number of tickets issued is down to our increased use of wireless CCTV cameras and the deployment of a camera-equipped Smart car to assist the Police.
However Westminster Council has been working closely with commercial delivery operators.
“Our main priority is to make sure that cars are parked safely and we aim to reduce the number of accidents caused by illegal parking and other traffic violations in Westminster. CCTV cameras are essential in ensuring this.”
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