Shopkeeper launches CCTV petition

A STOCKTON Heath shop owner who has been burgled three times in a year is spearheading a campaign to get more CCTV cameras in the village.
Tracy Dolan, of Dude’s n Diva’s on Walton Road, has collected about 800 signatures on a petition calling for round the clock CCTV cameras to help prevent crime.
She has been liaising with Inspector Gary McIntyre, of Warrington South Police, and they are seeking the views of people and business owners in the village.
Insp McIntyre told the Parish Council there was some CCTV coverage in the village, which could be targeted at traffic or the “night time economy” to prevent trouble.
He said Tracy had been burgled three times and, as a result, had decided to try to get more cameras in the village. The extra cameras she proposed would give police a “starting point” in finding offenders.
Tracy said: “About 85 per cent of people who signed my petition come into the area to shop because they like the area.”
But she was concerned about the impact of crime in the village, especially in the Walton Road area. A jewellers which had been raided three times had now closed and was not re-opening.
She told the council she had installed new alarm systems and shutters at the front and rear of her property but was concerned that she would have problems getting insurance when the premium needed renewing.
“We may not be able to get insured and would then have to close – that would be another shop closing,” she said.
“They came in when the shop was closed – what would happen if they came in to rob when people were in the shop,” she added.
Action was needed before someone was hurt.
Insp McIntyre said: “It is a nice area and attracts criminals because there are nice shops, selling nice things.”
He said police were investigating providing cameras on the major exits from the village – London Road, London Road down the Wilderspool Causeway and Walton Road. If offenders’ vehicles were identified by the cameras it would give police a starting point.
Police were investigating various types of CCTV system and were visiting other businesses in the village to see if they wanted to get involved in the project.