TRADERS have branded Eccles' new talking CCTV cameras as `useless' after the council admitted that over half of people reprimanded ignore them.

Between June 1 and September 18 this year, the talking cameras made 40 `announcements', for offences ranging from litter dropping to urinating in the street.

But over half of those verbally warned simply ignore the cameras and no police action was taken because the offences were relatively minor.

Twenty-two people failed to comply with the cameras' requests, although 14 did do as they were asked.

And although the council say that the cameras have forced many people to alter their actions, some local traders have complained that more needs to be done to curb anti-social behaviour.

Tariq Khan, the manager of Bargain Zone, in Eccles precinct, said the cameras had been no use to him in his fight against yobs near his shop.

He said: "I've been plagued with anti-social behaviour over the summer. Kids have been stealing stock from outside my shop, and although we've called the police numerous times, they just don't seem to be bothered.

Useless

"The talking CCTV cameras outside don't do any good either, they are useless. You don't hear them go off very often, and then people ignore them when they do.

"A stronger police presence, especially during the summer, would have been much more useful than this."

Terry Ryan, manager of nearby cafe Mario's, on Southway, said stronger efforts should be made to stop offending.

He said: "It's just the day and age that we live in, but we need some stronger measures to stop them in their tracks."

The cameras, unveiled in May, were the first of their kind in Greater Manchester.

Speakers were rigged to eleven cameras along Liverpool Road, Eccles, allowing officers monitoring footage to speak `live' to reprimand those involved in anti-social behaviour.

Salford council, which runs the scheme, said the cameras have been forcing offenders to modify their behaviour, in conjunction withother measures. Council spokesman David Lancaster said: "Talking CCTV, though still relatively new to Eccles, is having an impact.

"Almost half of those people publically reprimanded are reacting positively to the requests over the speakers and this is hopefully a deterrent against similar behaviour in future.

"We are always looking at innovative new methods to tackle anti-social behaviour and maximising the potential of CCTV in this way, is one wayof doing that.

"We will continue to use it alongside other enforcement measures such as fixed penalty notices and Asbos in extreme circumstances."

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