CALLS have been made for improvements to CCTV in a bid to battle ongoing anti-social behaviour.
It follows a spate of littering, vandalism and anti-social behaviour in Dovercourt.
Speaking at Tendring Council’s full meeting, frustrated councillor Jo Henderson has now called on the council to take action, particularly near Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles.
She said: “With the ongoing, increased vandalism and anti-social behaviour in this area, it is important to have clear and efficient CCTV to present to the police to help them deal with these crimes.”
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Last month, vandals damaged multiple areas in the town which, at the time, Mrs Henderson called a “hell-bent mission to cause havoc” across Dovercourt.
The string of offences saw the skate park, off Wick Lane, needing repairs after a wheelie bin was set on fire, damaging the surface.
Glass also posed a health hazard as a smashed vodka bottle was left strewn across the floor.
Next to the skate park, a wooden door was also ripped off its hinges at Lifestyles swimming pool’s pump house building and used to fuel the fire.
And just last week signage designed to encourage social distancing was vandalised during an irresponsible spree.
The signs, which were in place along Dovercourt seafront to help curb the spread of coronavirus, were also covered with graffiti and anti-lockdown posters.
The poster protests followed another similar incident just two weeks earlier with one of the posters in place falsely claiming wearing a mask increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
In response to Mrs Henderson’s call, Tendring councillor responsible for housing, Paul Honeywood, said a review of the CCTV is scheduled.
He said: “The council is looking to review all its CCTV provision, including that of our sports facilities as a requirement of the recently adopted code of practise.
“This will be an opportunity to review the number of cameras at Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles within the context of our adopted standards.
“This will take place later in the year and, following this, a series of recommendations will be brought forward for consideration.”
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