Dismay over St Leonards CCTV cameras permission '˜U-turn'

A victim of vandalism from St Leonards is dismayed his housing association wants to get rid of CCTV cameras he says he was given permission to install.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th May 2016, 14:21 BST
Updated 5th May 2016, 15:22 BST

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Lionel Mabbett with his trailer which still has the marks from when it was keyed in 2013Lionel Mabbett with his trailer which still has the marks from when it was keyed in 2013
Lionel Mabbett with his trailer which still has the marks from when it was keyed in 2013

Lionel Mabbett, of Battle Road, St Leonards, was given written permission by Amicus Horizon in October, 2013, to install the cameras after his trailer was keyed.

But the housing association is asking him to remove them as it does not have any proof he was given permission .

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It also said there had been complaints from other residents over privacy.

Mr Mabbett has shown Amicus a letter from the housing association allowing the cameras and believes they have brought down crime in the car park and most of the residents are in favour of them.

“There used to be drug-dealing, fly-tipping and vandalism in the car park but all that stopped because of these cameras and now they’re trying to get rid of them,” he said.

An Amicus spokesman said Mr Mabbet has breached its CCTV policy which does not allow cameras to overlook communal areas and there must be a sign.

So it has no choice but to ask him to remove the cameras.

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“We’ve no written record which confirms Mr Mabbett was allowed to install CCTV cameras,” the spokesman said.

“And we haven’t received any documentation from Mr Mabbett showing we’ve given our consent, despite repeated requests.

“Mr Mabbett has also failed to show for two pre-arranged appointments to discuss this issue.”

Mr Mabbett claims he has sent the housing association copies of the letter granting him permission but Amicus will not accept photocopies.

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The tenant cannot understand why Amicus is listening to complaints about the cameras as he claims the calls are anonymous.

Also he said ‘90 per cent’ of the residents are in support of them as they have reduced crime in the communal car park.

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Related topics:CCTVSt Leonards