Birmingham City Council’s independent scrutiny report into Project Champion was released today.
Serious public concerns were first raised about Project Champion in April 2010, following the installation of cameras in Sparkbrook, Springfield, Bordesley Green and Washwood Heath, Birmingham.
Today the Chairman of Local Services and Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor James Hutchings, laid bare the findings and made recommendations for better working practices.
Councillor James Hutchings said: “It gives us no pleasure to criticise colleagues in the public service but things did go wrong. In July the police recognised the problem and apologised. I hope that the rebuilding of trust and confidence between the West Midlands Police and the local communities will move on from here.
“In considering this report we should remember that in 2007 when Project Champion was initiated the country was in a state of high alert owing to the terrorist threat following the attempted Tiger Tiger Club bombing in London, the Glasgow airport attack and other incidents. The police were considering all possible means to protect the public. We can be grateful that there have been no deaths since then but we should remember that the terrorist threat remains real.
“The task ahead is for all authorities, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Police Authority, Birmingham City Council and the Safer Birmingham Partnership to work together to restore credibility and confidence.”
Councillor Ayoub Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Local Services said: “I welcome the findings of the report, which show there were no justifiable or beneficial reasons for the installation of CCTV and ANPR cameras.
“It’s a matter of regret that the West Midlands Police were not transparent in their dealings with Birmingham City Council and that there was not sufficient public consultation before these cameras were put up. The way that the Muslim community was targeted is simply unacceptable. Following the West Midlands Police Authority’s meeting today, I welcome proposals for the removal of all cameras.
“The West Midlands Police has already apologised for its shortcomings with Project Champion, following their own Thames Valley Police review and we must work together to restore the trust and confidence of our local communities, while at the same time, demonstrating our commitment and professionalism to reducing crime and improving community safety, so that residents can not only be safe, but feel safe in the areas in which they live.
“Birmingham is a city which has celebrated tremendous crime reduction successes over the years, and has a valuable reputation as being one of the safest core cities in the UK.
“We will implement the recommendations of the review immediately to ensure Birmingham City Council is always part of discussion and feedback on all relevant police authority business and community safety going forward.”
Ends
Further information from Belinder Kaur Lidher on 121 303 6969
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