TEMPORARY CCTV at Skipton Bus Station has been removed following a six week trial with town leaders calling for permanent security cameras to be installed in the area.
The safety camera was installed in November in response to an increase in anti-social behaviour which resulted in bus companies temporarily suspending services from entering the bus station.
Funding for the camera was secured by the town's community safety working group, made up of representatives including from the town council, the Business Improvement District (BID), police and North Yorkshire Community Safety Hub.
Feedback says the working group suggests that people have felt safer while the camera was in place, that anti-social behaviour had reduced and bus companies were starting to return to the bus station.
The group is now focussing once again on having permanent CCTV in the bus station area.
Councillor Brian McDaid, Chair of the Community Safety Working Group, said that the trial had showed that CCTV in the bus station can make a real difference.
He said: “Residents, bus users and businesses have told us they feel safer and we’ve seen anti-social behaviour reduce as a direct result.
“While the temporary installation has been successful, my focus now is on securing a permanent solution. Safety in the area - and the rest of the town - should not depend on short-term trials or one-off funding.
“I am committed to working with our partners to ensure this issue is addressed fully and permanently, so people can use the bus station with confidently every day.”
Skipton West councillor for North Yorkshire Council, Andy Solloway, added: “North Yorkshire Council are currently doing a review of CCTV provision and I would hope that this successful trial will convince them to quickly provide permanent CCTV cameras at Skipton Bus Station, for the protection of all users of it.
“The technology to have good quality footage is in place, all it needs is the council to commit to putting cameras in their bus station, car park and taxi rank.”
Sarah Howsen, Skipton BID Manager, said: “As outlined in our ‘safe and welcoming’ objective at the BID, we are committed to ensuring our town centre remains a friendly and attractive destination for visitors, so initiatives such as this are important to us.”
The Community Safety Working Group said the next step is hopefully securing a CCTV camera in the bus station for longer, if the funding is available and can be sourced.
