West Midlands Police ‘Spy’ cameras are sold off for just £1 each

all credits: Birmingham Mail
published: 29th September 2011

Controversial spy cameras removed after being secretly put up by counter-terrorism officials in two predominantly Muslim areas of Birmingham are being recycled for Olympics security – for £1 each. West Midlands Police has handed 22 number plate recognition cameras to the Metropolitan Police, nine to Strathclyde and two to Essex to help protect venues during next year’s Olympics.

“In order to support this critical business need, the ANPR equipment was redeployed at a nominal charge of £1 each for the transfer of ownership,” a report to West Midlands Police Authority revealed.

Eleven other cameras are to be installed in Coventry to protect the Ricoh Arena during the international sporting event.

The force still retains more than 70 covert cameras and 85 overt cameras that were taken down following a massive public outcry over the lack of formal consultation over the £3million project to install them, codenamed Project Champion, as part of an anti-terror scheme.

They would have logged the vehicle details of everybody entering or leaving Sparkhill, Ward End and Washwood Heath, leading to accusations they were being used to spy on Muslims.

Police chiefs are carrying out a review of existing CCTV cameras across Birmingham and the Black Country to see if any need replacing. Until a decision is made, the cameras will remain in storage.

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Posted by Tippa Naphtali on 01/10/2011. Filed under Announcements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry