Seven men involved in fights and two drink drivers get their come uppance from CCTV

SEVEN men involved in town-centre fights and two drink-drivers were among those who were arrested last month as a direct result of information passed on to the police by Fenland District Council s CCTV team. In Wisbech, a confrontation between a group of

SEVEN men involved in town-centre fights and two drink-drivers were among those who were arrested last month as a direct result of information passed on to the police by Fenland District Council's CCTV team.

In Wisbech, a confrontation between a group of men in the High Street led to two being chased towards the Crescent.

Live pictures of the incident and further updates were provided to the police, who subsequently arrested five of those involved on suspicion of assault.

CCTV coverage of another fracas involving a large group outside licensed premises in Chatteris also led to two arrests.

In March, cooperation between the Pubwatch Radio scheme, the police and the CCTV team resulted in a man being arrested for driving while over the alcohol limit.

After being alerted by the pub, camera operators located the driver leaving the Market Place and tracked him, providing regular reports to the police. He was stopped and arrested after failing a breath test.

Another drink-driver was stopped in Wisbech after he had been spotted driving away from St Peter's car park. Earlier he had been seen acting in a drunken way.

During December the CCTV team was involved in a total of 233 incidents, leading to 23 arrests and one person receiving a fixed penalty notice.

Councillor Ken Mayor, FDC's portfolio holder with responsibility for safer, stronger communities, said: "All this should reassure anyone who doubts the effectiveness of the CCTV operation.

"These success stories show that it is playing an increasingly important role in combating crime and helping to make Fenland a safer place for everyone who lives here.