Each night on MKFM, we are being joined by key decision makers and holding them to account in an exclusive week of interviews.
Following recent crime trends, MKFM is hosting an exclusive week of crime interviews where we put your questions to key decision makers.
Last night (4/4), we put your questions to the Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber.
One of the topics that was sent to us by residents was surrounding CCTV.
MKFM asked the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Police about the quality of CCTV in Milton Keynes and how this could effect policing.
Matthew Barber told MKFM: "It's not going to solve all of our problems, but CCTV is really important."
"It can deter crime as people will know it is there and it can actually aid investigations" he said.
"There is a real challenge in Milton Keynes with the Council funding for CCTV, we have a significant number of cameras in Milton Keynes which aren't functioning and aren't being supported by the council.
"I'm really keen for policing for step up and fill this gap."
The PCC said this was a conversation he had already had with council officers.
Matthew said £1m had been put aside for a wider plan for CCTV across the whole of Thames Valley.
When asked if this was down to Conservative cuts, Matthew responded that there was funding for it back in 2019 but the "simple fact is we have CCTV" and he plans to use funding which could step in to subsidies it.
Cllr Alex Walker, Leader of the Conservative Council Group, has responded to last night's interview, he told MKFM: “For years MK Council has blamed Thames Valley Police, the Government and everyone else for failing to tackle crime. At the same time, they’ve failed in their duty to keep residents safe, allowing their CCTV cameras - vital tools in the effort to reduce crime - to fall into a state of disrepair.
“We need to make our streets safer and combat crime, but the Labour and Liberal Democrat Council are failing to do the basics.
“And where has the Council’s CCTV strategy gone? It has been 3 years since the promise was made, clearly the Council aren’t interested.
“The Council’s position is they would rather wait and invest in a new system. That is valid, but there is no excuse to let existing cameras fall into disrepair.
“Thankfully, the police and crime commissioner office will be investing its cash to bring some back into use.”
MKFM contacted Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes Council for a response ahead of our interview with him tomorrow.
Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes Council, told MKFM: “The MK Conservatives want to talk about anything other than police numbers in Milton Keynes. Nothing can help them hide from the fact they’ve let knife crime in Milton Keynes get out of control. It’s desperate to try and pass their failings to MK Council.
"People aren’t idiots. They know the MK Conservatives have no plan to tackle violent crime, and they’ve spent the past 12 months talking about non-existent dog theft rather than addressing knife crime.
"MK Council has invested heavily in CCTV in a number of different areas of crime, such as fly-tipping and ASB hotspots, but CCTV is no replacement for real police officers on the ground. Some of the older fixed and static cameras are now obsolete due to cuts made by TVP in their control room. Why would MK Council spend money on expensive cameras that TVP don’t monitor?
"People don’t want a plan for CCTV, they want a plan to reduce knife crime and stop the tragic loss of young lives. The Progressive Alliance’s plan is very simple. More police in MK, get the PCC to prioritise knife crime not rural crime and tackle the causes of crime by investing more in youth services and our young people. By talking about CCTV the MK Conservatives do nothing more than highlight they’ve no plan and no answers.”
Following recent crime trends in Milton Keynes we want to raise your concerns about crime, each night we will be joined by key decision makers and holding them to account.
Listen to Cllr Peter Marland on Wednesday 6th April at 7pm as he sits down with MKFM as part of our exclusive crime interviews.
Listen from 7pm on 95.0/102.1/106.3FM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on your mobile or smart speaker.
Full details of how to listen here.
Listen back to yesterday's interview with Matthew Barber below:
