Fed-up Barrow shop owner posts CCTV crime shots online
Last updated at 09:55, Monday, 24 September 2012
A BUSINESS owner who says he has been burgled more than 70 times says he is fighting back against crime – using social media.
Cycle 100 proprietor Adrian Hughes has started posting CCTV footage on YouTube showing break-ins and vandalism at his Ramsden Street store in Barrow.
The 55-year-old has uploaded three clips of crimes onto the video-sharing website and said he has been overwhelmed by the public’s reaction.
He said: “I get a much better response talking directly to the public than I do talking to the police. I get people telling me who the thieves are, where they are and I pass that information on to the police.”
The videos of incidents in April, August and September clearly show at least some of the alleged offenders’ faces and have been viewed online nearly 2,000 times. Mr Hughes claims the police have made “a tactical withdrawal” from Barrow’s crime-hit central ward.
“My CCTV is the best in town – it’s better than what Barrow Borough Council has. We are getting full facials (of offenders) off the cameras and yet the police are still unable to identify anybody.’’
Mr Hughes said he was far from the only local business owner to be worn down by the constant attacks on his livelihood.
“You need to have the heart of a lion just to get up in the morning and keep going,” he said.
“I was born here and I have a lot of friends around here. I know the police have given up (on this ward), but if I give up they might as well just bulldoze the lot.”
A police spokeswoman said: “Police in Barrow are committed to pursuing all lines of inquiry and examining all forms of evidence that can help officers target criminals and bring them before the courts. Tackling thefts and burglaries is a particular priority for the area and if CCTV was presented to the police that could help, it would be taken seriously and examined as part of a criminal investigation.
“Recently, we received a report of criminal damage at Cycle 100 at around 11pm on September 15. The investigation into this offence is ongoing. We can confirm that CCTV footage that may be connected to the offence was handed to police and enquiries are currently under way with the images being shared with other police officers to identify the offenders.’’
Videos of the last two incidents at Cycle 100 can be viewed at nwemail.co.uk. If anyone recognises the offenders, they can contact Barrow police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
First published at 13:04, Sunday, 23 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
I am with Adrian on this. My premises have been broken into twice. On the second incident the police found part of my till under a youth's bed and got DNA off a sock. CPS threw the case out with not enough evidence. I think the police have their hands tied as they work within the confines of the law. I am sick of living in a country where the law benefits the criminal. I still get £4.91 a month compensation from the first burgulary. When is the law going to change so that young people get a reasonable punishment for their crimes?
Have your say
Isn't this the very thing community police are for ?
Shouldn't they comment ?
Police aren't magicians but they seem to have dropped the ball here.
It just needs cops to talk to local people and get to know who's up to what on their beat.
It doesn't need a graduate to do this, they managed well enough in past years.
Are they working at wrong time of day maybe ?
Posted by Resident on 23 September 2012 at 16:11