Council's decision over use of CCTV in school protest 'A breach of civil liberties' - Lib Dems (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

Council's decision over use of CCTV in school protest 'A breach of civil liberties' - Lib Dems

June 29, 2009 2:37 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson and MSP for Glasgow Robert Brown has attacked Glasgow City Council's decision to use CCTV cameras to target school protesters occupying Wyndford Primary School in Maryhill.

It is claimed that the CCTV cameras, installed to improve safety at nearby flats, have been turned to cover the school entrance and to monitor who goes in and out of the school.

It is understood that the CCTV cameras are the property of Cube Housing Association which are administered through Glasgow City Council's CCTV monitoring centre but are not actually the property of the council.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"This is a civil protest, not a criminal issue.

"It is completely unacceptable if the Council have made use of CCTV cameras, put in place to protect the local community, to breach the civil liberties of members of that same community.

"The redirection of the cameras, away from the flats they were installed to monitor, will compromise the security of these homes. The Council's action is excessive, unwarranted and a breach of civil liberties.

"People in Wyndford feel strongly about the fact that the heart is being torn out of their local community with the closure of both schools in the area.

"I am writing to the leader of Glasgow City Council, as a matter of urgency, demanding an explanation of the situation. I will also be raising this matter with Scottish Ministers.

"There are serious questions arising as to the proper use of CCTV cameras when they are used not to deter crime but to target protesters."

Glasgow North Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson Katy Gordon added:

"The Council are treating the Wyndford parents like criminals. This sort of "big brother" tactic is excessive and out of place in a local dispute like this."