Calls for car park CCTV cameras
Calls are growing for spy cameras to be installed on a Wigan community car park after a series of incidents.
The final straw for Coun Paul Prescott was the attempted robbery of a 60-year-old woman in Pemberton last week in which she was repeatedly punched in the face and chest.
This incident came after a number of deliberate fires were set in industrial bins at the rear of Ormskirk Road shops in the same car park. The fires could have spread to the shops.
Coun Prescott says that previous attempts to motivate local store owners into contributing towards CCTV for the car park, next to St John's Church, has been met with enthusiasm by a few but indifference by many.
He hopes, now that property is in danger, more will be galvanised into taking action.
He also hopes to secure a grant – funding is still available for curbing anti-social behaviour.
The mugging, which prompted the councillor's renewed call, took place at 12.50pm last Saturday when the woman got into her car at the back of Lamberhead Post Office after visiting the cash machine.
A man opened the door and tried to snatch her purse but the victim put up a struggle, clinging on to the purse.
At this point the thief hit her several times in the face and chest.
He eventually gave up and ran off empty-handed towards nearby St John's Church.
The woman was left with scratches to her face and was extremely distressed by what happened.
Coun Prescott has spoken to the woman since.
Click next page for more ...He said: "I was really shocked and angry after hearing of this crime. It really is disgraceful that people can't go about their lawful business on a busy Saturday afternoon without coming under attack like this, especially a lady of 60.
"This follows several incidents of criminal damage on the same car park including the setting alight of large plastic wheelie bins at the back of the shops – behaviour which itself endangers life and property.
"I have called for CCTV to be installed here before and now I am appealing again.
"I have been in touch with township inspector Peter Clarke and asked him to install a police deployment camera there, but we do need something permanent.
"I would hope that more businesses will be encouraged to get on board this campaign now because of latest developments but there are also pots of cash out there for tackling anti-social behaviour."
Coun Prescott said there should also be greater deterrents against those involved in crimes such as the mugging.
He said: "If someone gets a two-year sentence we don't want to see them back on the streets after six months, they should stay behind bars for the full time.
"If that means the Government building more prisons then so be it."
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Weather for Wigan
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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