Call for Closed Circuit Television to Combat Crime in Wicklow Town

Closed circuit television in Wicklow Town would be a major deterrent to crime in the area, a Garda Inspector has told members of the local Town Council. Inspector John Castles was addressing the council on crime in Wicklow town on the introduction of the members.

He said that while crime is no worse in Wicklow than in any other town of its size, public order is a major problem at present. `I have put in place two extra garda resources at the week-ends and a public order van to help combat this problem. There is a nucleus of twenty fellows causing most of the distrubances’, he added.

Warning offenders that he has now issued instructions to his members to carry out an arrest and charge policy to get these people before the courts quickly, Inspector Castles said that not only do they want to fight among themselves but they want to take on the police as well.

`Criminal damage is an offshoot of public order where people on their way home decide to kick in someone’s window. Alcohol and drugs are a major factor in these public order offences’, he added.

Inspector Castles pointed out that that CCTV would be a major deterrent to crime in the town. `It is very effective in many towns across the country as a measure in preventing crime. It is very costly and the dearer the system the more effective it becomes’, he said.

Later at Monday’s meeting, members decided to go ahead with plans to have CCTV installed in the town. However, with government funding required, it could take a considerable amount of time before this is realised.