Oxford Police defend camera reactivation

POLICE CHIEFS in Oxfordshire have defended the decision to reactivate the county's speed camera system, claiming the move was needed to maintain safety in the region.

Earlier this week, Thames Valley Police and Council officials announced the decision to reactivate the county's camera system just three months after they were deactivated as part of the Government's new cost-cutting measures.

However, a turnaround in the decision to axe the cameras has come about following a sharp rise in the number of speeding offenders since the cameras were disabled.

Police spokesman Victoria Bartlett told the Oxford Mail: “Oxfordshire County Council cabinet took the decision to withdraw their funding from the Safer Roads Partnership in July. While we understand the great financial pressures all local councils are under, we were disappointed.

“The partnership has had considerable success in reducing fatal and serious injury collisions on the roads of Thames Valley.

“We were naturally concerned that the withdrawal of Oxfordshire from the partnership may impact on the number of serious collisions.”

An online poll taken on the newspaper's website shows 53 per cent of voters are in favour of the camera system's return.