Community leaders in Peasedown St John have criticised a decision by Bath and North East Somerset Council to remove a CCTV camera from outside of their local Tesco convenience store.

Last year, the Council put up the camera on the main high street in the village in response to calls from residents, the Police, and local Councillors.

The camera has been popular with the community and acted as a deterrent from anti-social behaviour.

Now, six months later, the Conservative-run B&NES Council has decided to take it down. 

“The camera was originally put up after requests from myself, Cllr Bevan and the many residents who had attended PACT meetings asking that one be installed. It was the result of people coming together and saying strongly they’d had enough of anti-social behaviour and wanted something done about it.”

Gail Coleshill who is standing as Parliamentary Candidate is worried that the Council is removing it without any consultation. She commented:

“Despite requests asking the Council for an explanation none have been given. We can only assume that those who run the Council have decided that Peasedown St John isn’t important enough to be told why decisions are being taken.”

Cllr Sarah Bevan (Lib Dem, Peasedown) added:

“Whilst I am fully aware that young people have a constitutional right to gather in public groups, this measure was taken mainly on behalf of Tesco who refused to respond to Police requests to install their own security cameras.”

The removal of the camera has been met with strong opposition from residents, saying they want it back.