A CASH-STRAPPED council has insisted it has “absolutely no plans” to turn off its CCTV system despite a police boss saying it will.

Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber claimed Slough Borough Council (SBC) wants to turn off its entire CCTV system in order to save money.

The council, which effectively declared bankruptcy last year, is reviewing all departments in order to save about £20m.

Mr Barber told Datchet parish councillors at a meeting on Monday, December 12, that turning off its surveillance cameras was “probably not the best of ideas” as there have been recent reports of violent crime in Slough.

Slough Observer:

However, SBC insisted that this is not the case and was “surprised” by the commissioner’s comments.

A council spokesperson said the local authority is in ongoing discussions with Thames Valley Police (TVP) in taking over the running of Slough’s public areas CCTV from April, which Mr Barber was involved with.

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When the Local Democracy Reporting Service approached Mr Barber’s office for clarification on his comments at the parish meeting, his office maintained its stance that SBC “indicated that they wish to cease the operation of council-run CCTV”.

They continued: “As a result, we are accelerating plans to migrate Slough’s cameras onto a new system operated by TVP.

“We are currently asking SBC to consider extending the operation of their system beyond April in the interests of public safety in order to allow TVP time to manage a smooth transition.

“The Police and Crime Commissioner will still be seeking a contribution to CCTV from the council in the future as both bodies have a responsibility to ensure community safety.”

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An SBC spokesperson said: “Discussions remain ongoing with TVP, however, no decision has been made on dates or plans or anything else as it would be required to be a political decision by cabinet.

“We are continuing to work in partnership with the police to find a solution which benefits residents and continues the excellent CCTV service which the council has been providing for more than 20 years.

“Off-hand comments like Police and Crime Commissioner Barber, to people who are not even Slough residents, are unhelpful and only likely to raise unnecessary fear and concerns in our communities.”