CCTV cameras are to be installed in all of the underpasses that run under the A4.

The announcement has been welcomed by many who use the underpasses daily. An elderly resident told ChiswickW4.com, "I just don't feel safe using the underpasses I always go out of my way to use the road crossing at Sutton Court Road. These cameras will go a long way to making me feel safer."

Insp Dave Osbourne said, "Crime in the underpasses under the A4 are thankfully few and far between, but many local residents have voiced their concerns to me regarding feeling unsafe in that type of environment."

He continued, "Fullers Brewery generously took the lead in financing CCTV at Chiswick Lane which was very well received. This new installation will make people feel safer and where offences do occur will assist us in identifying suspects."

Turnham Green Ward's Cllr Peter Thompson, who announced the installation of the new cameras at last week's area committee meeting, told ChiswickW4.com, "Issues of crime and community safety are high on the agenda for the Council. As part of our 10 promises to the community, we are now investing £1.8 million in a pioneering scheme to bring CCTV to more parts of the borough. We will also expand existing wireless networks to make it easier for portable cameras to go up across the borough, and a new joint control room will help to share footage from the council's own cameras with the police.

"I am delighted that we will finally be able to get CCTV cameras into these notorious underpasses. These improvements will help prevent crime and increase the detection and prosecution of criminals, and help all residents to feel safer and more secure."

 

March 26, 2009