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Cameras will help tackle vandalism at Wick riverside


By Matt Leslie

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A picnic bench smashed up and thrown in Wick River last April
A picnic bench smashed up and thrown in Wick River last April

Cameras are being introduced at Wick's riverside car park to aid police in their quest to tackle vandalism in the area.

While damage to property is one issue, public safety is another with people taking to social media with reports of verbal intimidation by groups of youths on the riverside pathways.

However, addressing a meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council this week, local Highland councillor Raymond Bremner announced that measures are being taken to reclaim the riverside back from the vandals.

He said: "There are a total of six cameras being put in place along the riverside.

"There will be three being placed opposite the bus stance near the Norseman Hotel. These cameras will either be two swivel cameras and one static or one swivel and two static – that has yet to be decided.

"And at the other side there will be another three cameras being put into place there. Again, there will be composition of swivel and static cameras.

"The cameras that will be of the swivel model will have the ability to go around to other areas of the riverside which will include the walkways.

"The cameras will be fed back to Wick police station who will be able to monitor what's going on.

"A lot of money has been put in to repairing and restoring the bus stance and the toilets in the area but they are targeted by vandalism.

"Having the cameras there and in operation will allow the public to think that something is being done."

Addressing the concern that cameras could potentially give a negative image of the town, Councillor Bremner said: "We are not the parents of the brats doing this [the vandalism].

"Without these cameras, facilities [such as the toilets] run the risk of being shut."

On a separate matter, Councillor Bremner informed the community council that motor vehicle drivers in Wick who wish to "go green" by using electric cars will receive a welcome boost.

He said: "There will be nine bays going into the riverside car park area for motorists who need to charge up their electrical vehicles.

"The funding for these electric bays will come from the Scottish Government."

Meanwhile, community councillor Alan Farquhar announced to the meeting that plans are in place to improve Green Road park in Wick.

He said: "We are hoping to install basketball posts and a zip slide. It will take another £5000 to hopefully put them into place," he said.


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