Disorder at bus station to be caught on camera

Northumbria Police’s Alnwick Neighbourhood Team has been working in partnership with Arriva, the town council, Northumberland Community Safety and the Gallery Youth Project to discuss community concerns around low-level anti-social behaviour and littering at the bus station.

Police and partners are concerned about the low-level fear of crime by residents and tourists created by the presence of groups of youths who use the bus station as a meeting point and throw litter around despite there being sufficient bins.

In response, Arriva has invested in a comprehensive, high-definition system, which will be used by Northumbria Police and Alnwick Town Council to identify anyone committing criminal or anti-social behaviour. Visible signs will be displayed to inform the public that the area is covered by CCTV.

Other partnership work that will be undertaken by a joint task group includes monitoring the cleaning of the bus station; ensuring there are enough bins in the area and that these are emptied regularly; introducing CCTV across the whole of the town.

Acting Neighbourhood Inspector Sharon Wilmore-Greaves said: “Our residents have told us that there is a problem with anti-social behaviour and littering at the bus station.

“We are responding to those concerns by increased patrols in the area and utilising new anti-social behaviour powers by authorising dispersal notices when required.

“Having the CCTV in place will mean that if there are any acts of crime or anti-social behaviour we will quickly be able to identify who was involved and take more effective action.

“Alnwick is a very safe place to live and we don’t want anyone to feel intimidated by the behaviour of others at any time or in any part of town.

“The introduction of CCTV at the bus station will be another way that we can drive this behaviour out.”

Nick Knox, area managing director for Arriva North East, added: “We are very pleased with the recent installation of CCTV cameras at Alnwick Bus Station.