Thatcham car vandalised while camera films hedge

Council refuses to say why the CCTV camera in Lower Way is facing the hedge and even whether it's switched on

WEST Berkshire Council has failed to explain why one of its CCTV cameras in Thatcham is facing a hedge rather than the road.

The issue came to light after a Thatcham man's car was damaged by vandals while it was parked outside his home, which is in viewing distance of the security camera.

Marc Wright, of Pound Lane, said that his wife's car was keyed on Sunday, May 8, while they were out walking their dogs.

The camera is situated on Lower Way at the junction of Pound Lane.

He contacted the police and said that he was told the camera was no longer in use, since the system was switched over to the control room in Windsor late last year.

Mr Wright said: “Hundreds of pounds worth of damage has been caused to the car. [The police] said that the CCTV was their only line of inquiry.

“I quite often read about shops being broken into and the cameras there never seem to be pointing in the right direction.”

Thatcham town and district councillor Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) said that this was something he would raise with the district council to find out why it was facing the hedge.

“There's no point in it pointing to the hedge,” he said.

“I thought the camera would be movable.

“I think maybe it is in a fixed position which limits its ability to help.

“It's not really fit for purpose. I will be asking some questions about this.”

West Berkshire Council spokesman Phil Spray refused to say whether the camera was in operation, citing security reasons, and also failed to explain why the camera was pointing towards the hedge.

He said: “In order to maintain safety we cannot give details of the security systems that are in place, since this could play directly into the hands of those intent on committing crime or anti-social behaviour.”