Business leaders stage fundraising bid to save CCTV cameras from axe

BUSINESS leaders have launched a last ditched attempt to prevent councillors scrapping surveillance cameras in a Yorkshire market town in a bid to cut costs.

By The Newsroom

Published 31st May 2012, 07:00 BST

The Richmond Business and Tourism Association (RBTA) is hoping to persuade residents and entrepreneurs in the North Yorkshire town to pledge to help finance the closed circuit television system.

The Yorkshire Post revealed in January that Richmondshire District Council was considering plans to switch off the 11 cameras. The council is battling a £777,000 shortfall in this financial year on a £7.5m budget amid the Government’s austerity drive. The RBTA needs to ensure there is a financial commitment by June 12 to raise £25,000 to ensure the CCTV network continues. The RBTA’s secretary, Gillian Howells, who runs a creative industries consultancy, confirmed £7,000 has so far been pledged.

She said: “We do believe this is a really important asset. If the cameras go, there simply will not be enough funding available to reinstate them.”

More information is available from Ms Howells on 01748 825362.

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