Ilkley CCTV plan welcomed but investment is a 'drop in the ocean' says MP

The Ilkley CCTV scheme includes ten high-definition CCTV cameras located within the town centre providing coverage of the key streets and venues.

The council believes the investment will help bring a reduction in crime, improve evidence for prosecuting offenders and provide assurance to visitors and residents.

The new network could also assist the council in managing events, traffic and emergencies.

In recent years Ilkley has held a number of high profile events including the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire.

These events and others such as Real Food Ilkley, Ilkley Carnival, and Christmas light switch on have led to significant increases in the numbers of visitors to the town.

The new CCTV cameras will assist the council to manage the demands driven by higher footfalls.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, at Bradford Council said: “We believe this important investment in community safety in Ilkley will bring significant benefits to local people and make the town even more attractive to visit especially in the evening.”

The proposal to bring new CCTV cameras to the centre of Ilkley has been welcomed by local councillors who have long campaigned for their introduction.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said: "I have campaigned for a considerable length of time for CCTV in Ilkley, particularly Brook Street.

"There was a petition three to four years ago which I spearheaded but the executive said there was no funding and did appear to question the need.

"Clearly when crowds descend on the town it is a useful tool for the police to be able to analyse footage but also when known criminals have clearly been in town and crimes have been committed it also enables the police to have a steer.

"On another level when CCTV known to be in place is itself a disincentive to wrongdoers."

District Councillor Kyle Green (Con, Ilkley) said: "While I welcome the belated realisation by this Labour-run Council that we need CCTV to catch those breaking the law and help prevent anti social behaviour in Ilkley, Bradford Council have once again failed to be proactive in helping to keep Ilkley and Ben Rhydding residents safe and I will be attending the upcoming executive to highlight the need to invest far more in this scheme to cover a wider area.

"While the town centre clearly will benefit from these cameras, these plans fail to bring necessary and urgent cameras to either the riverside area of Ilkley, Ilkley Moor or Ben Rhydding where residents should also see investment to reduce crime rather than more Bradford-centric investment despite the high rates of council tax paid by Ilkley and Ben Rhydding residents. I welcome comments from residents as to where they feel CCTV would be beneficial and they can contact me at kyle.green@bradford.gov.uk"

Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore said: “I am pleased that Bradford Council is finally taking the many safety concerns raised by residents seriously. I have written to Bradford Council’s Executive urging them to accept these long overdue proposals. This level of investment in Ilkley should go along way to ensure that the scenes witnessed in our town over the summer months are not repeated, however there is still more that needs to be done.

“Ilkley is generally regarded as the cash cow for Bradford. This investment is a drop in the ocean to what is needed in our town. I hope to see more investment from Bradford Council in Ilkley over the coming months to help deal with issues relating to anti-social behaviour by the River Wharfe as well as measures to stop unauthorised traveller encampments which is becoming an all too regular occurrence.”

Inspector Khalid Khan, of Keighley Neighbourhood Police Team, added: “We would welcome any investment from Bradford Council for CCTV to be installed in Ilkley town centre.

“I have been working closely with Ilkley Town Council to explore ways to reduce crime in the area, especially in the riverbank area, where in the summer it is a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and disorder and CCTV would be a welcome addition.

“My team will continue to work with our partner agencies to reduce crime in the area and also to make sure residents and people visiting are safe and feel safe.”

Bradford Council’s Executive next meets on February 2 when a decision on the funding will be made.