Spalding CCTV system called into question after vandalism of artwork in Market Place
The effectiveness of the CCTV system which covers a town centre has been called into question after the latest vandalism incident.
Spalding councillor Ingrid Sheard wants to know if CCTV cameras had recorded footage of graffiti being daubed over the street artwork on the former Calthrops site in Market Place - but has said the town should ‘give up’ on the system if it is not effective.
A political message has been scrawled on the side of the picture of a woman with flowers in her hair, which was created by artist Karl Barfoot in the run-up to flower parade to hide an unslightly graffiti tag.
“There are over 60,000 children without access 2 education in England… why?” the latest graffiti asks, before appearing to be signed off by the initials CBS.
Spalding has suffered issues in recent months with graffiti tags sprayed onto 50 locations in the town, including the White Horse. Police have been investigating and had previously stated that they were reviewing CCTV.
Speaking at last night’s (Tuesday, June 12) Spalding Town Forum meeting Coun Sheard said: “If the CCTV is effective the vandals should not be able to do it. We should be looking back at CCTV and see how effective it is. If it is not effective then we should give up on it and find another way.”
Coun Sheard, who has been critical of the benefits brought from the investment in the cameras, wants to have a debate on the cameras at the next Spalding Town Forum meeting.
She also said there are ongoing incidents in Spalding which should have been picked up on by CCTV.
Coun Sheard said: “We should be able to hold people accountable.”
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