Extra CCTV proposed for Whalley to deter drunken disturbances
A new camera could be used to tackle noise and anti-social behaviour as weekend visitors spark complaints from locals
A Ribble Valley village known for its night-life, but also troubled by complaints of drunken disturbances, noise and anti-social behaviour by revellers could get extra CCTV camera coverage.
Whalley has been the focus of complaints about noise from customers.
People travel there from across the north-west, with weekends being especially busy. Most venues are well-run, councillors say, but some have been singled-out for criticism regarding noise or control of customers. But venues have defended their records, saying they cannot be held responsible for how customers behave once they have left.
Whalley already has some CCTV cameras but an extra camera could be paid for using part of a government allocation to Ribble Valley Council. The council also has a special licensing arrangement for Whalley and says it is acting to tackle problems and enforce the required licensing conditions.
A new proposal to buy and install an extra CCTV camera using cash from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund was backed at Ribble Valley Council’s latest Policy & Finance Committee meeting. The camera would link to a council CCTV system and the idea is supported by the police, according to a report for the committee. It was one of a number of recommended projects to improve public spaces or community buildings using funds from the council or government.
A committee report said a suitable place for a new camera is where a traffic sign post currently stands at the junction of Accrington Road and Queen Street, near The Aviary and Alta venues. The whole scheme, including buying a camera and electric installation work, could cost around £3,000. But costs need to be confirmed.
Some people living in the Queen Street area have led the complaints in recent years and representatives have spoken at council meetings. Ribble Valley’s licensing committee recently renewed a special arrangement, called a cumulative impact assessment, which covers most of central Whalley. It places higher requirements on business owners applying for a licence, or to change their existing licence, to demonstrate their activity will not add to any problems. Licences cover activity including alcohol sales, music, dancing, opening hours, age checking, venue security and incident records.
Speaking at the latest policy and finance meeting, Conservative Coun Mark Hindle, a Whalley councillor, said: “I really welcome this proposal. The camera’s strategic position is shown in the photo. It will be important to make businesses aware of how it will be monitored. We need to have a proactive approach to explaining it and discussing the consequences for businesses, to make sure it has the biggest impact possible for the benefit of residents”
Other Ribble Valley villages are interested in CCTV cameras too, the committee was told. This followed a previous project supported by a Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner grant. Now Slaidburn with Easington, Newton in Bowland, Mellor, Salesbury, Ribchester, Waddington, Balderstone and Downham are interested in CCTV. Their ideas are yet to be considered by a small working group of councillors but grants up to £1,000 per village might come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The committee backed other schemes across the Ribble Valley for funding including in Clitheroe and Longridge. Community organisations behind the ideas have made expressions of interest but will be asked for detailed submissions.