From the No CCTV website (www.no-cctv.org.uk):

The Blackpool Citizen reports that the future of Blackpool's CCTV is under scrutiny. The newspaper says:

"A working group has been formed to review public realm CCTV in Blackpool with the aim of reviewing its purpose and effectiveness and determine whether it achieves its aims. "

The topics that will be covered in the scrutiny process are: "whether it meets your needs as a resident, if it makes you feel safe, if it deters crime and if it can be improved across the town". Note that issues such as privacy and removing the cameras to allow law abiding citizens to go about their daily business without being spied upon do not feature. Also shouldn't the council know if the cameras deter crime or not?

Of course the reality is that CCTV cameras do not deter crime - all of the evidence points to their ineffectiveness. It is likely this so called consultation is being used to justify CCTV "upgrades" in Blackpool that will simply further reduce the civil liberties of local residents.

Blackpool Council is asking residents to send their thoughts on CCTV to Georgina Atkinson. Submissions should be made by Friday 22nd August 2008, more details at  http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/news/cctvscrutiny.htm

We urge Blackpool residents to read the substantial evidence against surveillance cameras, and to tell the council what they can do with their CCTV.