Firms fear CCTV cut may worsen anti-social behaviour

The business group said CCTV underpinned safety and security in the town

A group of businesses in Shrewsbury has raised concerns about council plans to downgrade the town's CCTV service.

The Business Improvement District (BID) said ending 24/7 monitoring was likely to lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour and worsen river safety.

Shropshire Council is proposing to scale down the service as it seeks to make £62.5m in budget savings this financial year.

The local authority's preferred option would be to keep all 39 town centre cameras rolling but cease round-the-clock monitoring.

CCTV is not a statutory service, so Shropshire Council is not obliged to pay for or operate the network.

In a statement, the town's BID said, "alongside the Shrewsbury Watch radio system, monitored CCTV underpins the maintenance of public order.

"Whilst we recognise that Shropshire Council is facing significant financial challenges... we are concerned that the proposed cuts are likely to lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime, decreased river safety and an increase in risk of harm to vulnerable individuals."

Shrewsbury is the only town in the county in which Shropshire Council wholly funds the service.

Councillor Rovert Macey has said the decision is tough but unavoidable

In other towns, CCTV is run and funded by the town or parish council.

Shrewsbury Town Council has already offered to contribute an annual fee of £40,000, which Shropshire Council is seeking to pay for the network's maintenance.

A consultation running until 4 September sets out a number of options.

Councillor Robert Macey, cabinet member for culture and digital, said: "We face a very difficult financial situation, due to rising costs and the growing demand for our services - particularly social care, which accounts for £4 in every £5 we spend.

"This is one of a number of very tough decisions that we do not want to make but we have to if we are to survive financially."