Asbo-cam takes to the streets

POLICE in Failsworth are going behind the camera to show parents exactly what their children get up to when they are out on the street.

Officers will be sporting waterproof body cams on patrol this weekend in a crackdown on anti social behaviour at Tesco in Ashton Road West, after complaints from residents.
Capable of filming in poor lighting and storing up to four hours of footage, the cameras can be clipped to officer’s body armour and will be used for the first time in the run up to Christmas.

Officers can then show parents how their teens have been behaving. Insp Kernain said: “Residents have raised concerns about large groups of youths congregating in the car park area of Tesco, drinking alcohol and getting involved in antisocial behaviour.
“Young people may see having a drink with their friends as a bit of fun but it is very often the root of antisocial behaviour such as noise nuisance and vandalism which can make the lives of people living in the vicinity an absolute misery.”

Police and youth workers will offer safety advice to those found drinking and seize alcohol, with pastors from Failsworth School on hand to help.

Inspector Kernain said: “Only last weekend a 13-year-old girl was so drunk she had to be hospitalised.

“We had no way of getting hold of her parents because she was incapable of telling us her address, phone number or even her name.

“This girl was lucky we were there to help as this could have had more severe consequences for her and her family.”