Westminster Council signed over the access to its network of cameras in January in a bid to save money
A London authority handed over the control of 75 CCTV cameras to the Met Police in prime tourist areas but it has emerged they will never be switched on.
Westminster Council signed over the access to its network of cameras in January in a bid to save money.
However it has now been revealed the CCTV has not been used by police, despite Scotland Yard shelling out £1.5million in tax payers’ cash to purchase the systems.
The 75 cameras are placed in tourist hotspots such as Oxford Street, Buckingham Palace, Number 10 Downing Street and the Houses of parliament.
They have been described as ‘prime targets’ in the event of a terror attack.
Met Police refused to explain why the 75 cameras were not being used.
However a spokesman told MailOnline the force would be installing 64 new CCTV cameras but would not say where they would be placed.
It is understood the new cameras will not be manned 24/7 but only on a ‘needs’ basis.
Ex-counter terror detective David Videcette, who investigated the 7/7 bombings, told The Sun newspaper he believed this was ‘utterly ridiculous’.
He told the paper: ‘Despite all the arguments and appeals for them to be switched back on, hearing that even now, victims of crime are unable to pursue allegations due to lack of CCTV, is utterly ridiculous and soul-destroying.
The 75 cameras are placed in tourist hotspots described as prime targest for terrorist attacks such as Oxford Street, Buckingham Palace and Number 10 Downing Street
‘Oxford Street and Regent Street – two of the busiest shopping areas in the world – are prime targets for terror attacks.
‘It’s unthinkable that we don’t have working, monitored CCTV systems in these areas.’
A spokesman for the Met Police said the City of Westminster is covered by many CCTV systems, including those run by Transport for London and private businesses.
He said: ‘The police also have the ability to deploy temporary CCTV systems for specific operational needs.
‘It is important it has a modern CCTV system for the reassurance of visitors, residents and businesses and to fight crime. That work is progressing apace and Westminster City Council has provided a grant to the Met that will pay for the cameras and installation.
He added: ‘A total of 64 modern digital cameras will be installed and a review has determined the most effective locations to ensure optimum coverage.
‘Locations for cameras have been carefully identified based on critical infrastructure, ie those buildings essential to the running of the borough, policing and management of demonstrations and those with the greatest risk of criminal offences.’
The spokesman said the new cameras would record 24 hours a day but added they would only be monitored ‘as and when’ the need arises.
This means CCTV would not be manned full-time.
The spokesman added there was ‘no specific date’ for when the new cameras would be built.
So far just 11 of the 64 have been fitted while 75 cameras remain unused.