Dismay at eye-in-sky CCTV camera
A CCTV camera in an area of Sheffield blighted by gang-related shootings and stabbings has been pointing to the SKY for the past three years, a local businessman claims.
The camera, on the corner of Earsham Street, Burngreave, is looking permanently at the clouds rather than the local area around Spital Hill and Burngreave Road, according to funeral director Adam Heath.
Police say the camera was installed for a specific police operation and is due to be removed.
Mr Heath, whose family business John Heath and Sons is situated right next to the camera, said he believes the camera has been pointing skywards for the past three years.
Speaking to The Star after a man was slashed across the arm in the street last week, Mr Heath said: "The camera has been pointing to the sky looking for aliens for the past three years.
"The other camera on the same pole is working, as is the others around Burngreave, but this one is certainly not pointing where it should be.
"When it first got installed it would move around to what was happening in the area - monitoring traffic or if an incident broke out - but now it must be broken. I don't think it has been vandalised."
A man in his 40s was rushed to hospital last Wednes-day after being slashed across the arm in the Spital Hill area in broad daylight. It is believed he was hurt after an argument.
Police cordoned off an area between Carlisle Street and Andover Street, and a pile of blood-soaked rags marked the spot outside the 4 Seasons cyber caf in Earsham Street where it is believed he made his way for help.
Mr Heath said: "I don't know if they have caught the perpetrator of this attack, but they would have had a much better chance if the camera worked."
A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said the camera had been installed "some time ago" as part of a specific police operation, but is now listed on a "programme for removal".
She said the camera was not connected up and could be removed to be used elsewhere in the city, while other cameras operated by Sheffield Council in the area are relied upon to prevent and detect crime.
Referring specifically to last Wednesday's incident the spokeswoman added: "Police are looking at other CCTV footage from the area and inquiries are ongoing to identify the offender."
The position of the redundant camera is also just yards from where Wincobank teenager Tarek Chaiboub was killed last summer.
The 17-year-old, of Castledine Gardens, was shot outside Frenchie's barbers on Spital Hill on July 11. Six people have been charged with murder and two with assisting an offender.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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