CCTV cameras have recently been turned on in Oxford’s Cowley Road, apparently after 15 years of campaigning.

There are mixed opinions about CCTV and whether it improves public safety and prevent crime; numerous campaigns have been launched against excessive used of surveillance cameras and many reports have found them to be ineffective.

So, is it good news for the residents of Cowley Road?

Having lived on Cowley Road myself for a few years, I must admit I didn’t always feel entirely safe, but I simply took myself out of the equation by not wandering the streets alone at night and making sure I walked briskly and confidently. The police in Oxford also seem pretty visible to me. I never came across any trouble, but I’m not sure that CCTV would have made me feel any more secure. All we need now is those systems where people watching can start talking to you – about dropping litter or hanging around outside shops – now THAT would be scary.

Whilst we’re at it, I’m also not 100% sure about the plans to introduce number plate recognition cameras, which apparently “form the centrepiece of a high-tech scheme to combat traffic congestion in Oxford.”

It took me a while to work out why they need to scan registration plates rather than just simply monitor the number of cars passing a particular point. Am I right in thinking that they measure journey times? We’re reliably informed that the data will not be stored or passed on to any third party, but at the end of the day, it is another form of tracking our movements and exact location. I can completely understand the civil liberty groups who have opposed the gradual advance of cameras, although I probably have more affinity with those opposing the vast amounts of money extracted from speeding cameras – what exactly is that money used for??

I was gobsmacked when I read this article in the Oxford Mail, about the number of illegal motorists that were caught by police in just under three hours.

They were pulling vehicles over in Marston and twelve, yes twelve, cars were “deemed unsafe” for the road, whilst five were seized for having no tax.

Now the “unsafe” element could be anything, like worn tyres, I guess? Understandable if you’re not car savvy and don’t check these things (although that’s no excuse and there are plenty of car garages in Oxford), but having no tax?!  Unforgivable when others have to scrimp and save to fork out for theirs.

Plus 21 people got pulled over for not wearing seatbelts. At what point, when you get in the car, do you think you’re invincible and not need to wear one?

Can you sense my amazement at this or is this where you start telling me to belt up…?