Concerns have been raised over plans to scrap some CCTV cameras in the Chiltern district, with politicians fearing the move could encourage crime.

A total of 12 cameras could be removed in the district, including three in Lowndes Park, Chesham, after an investigation found they were used less frequently to detect crime than others.

The remaining cameras which are “not fit for purpose” are set to be replaced with digital surveillance, while Chiltern District Council (CDC) has also agreed to spend £80,000 on installing mobile CCTV.

However at a meeting of CDC’s cabinet yesterday, deputy leader, councillor Mike Stannard, raised concerns some of the cameras set to be removed could be preventing crime.

He said: “I think one thing that gives me some concern is the list of cameras that are going to be decommissioned.

“And whilst I understand that maybe these cameras are not necessarily picking up any incidents, I do wonder how many incidents they prevent by being there in the first place.

“So I do think this is a subject that needs a little bit more consideration before we agree to remove some of these items.

“I do think we need to put a little bit more thought, particularly on those cameras we are talking about.”

Before plans are given the green light they will be presented to the council’s healthy communities policy advisory group for further discussion.

Leader of the council, Isobel Darby, backed the use of mobile CCTV – stating it would be more effective than static cameras, as potential criminals would not be able to track where they are and when.

She said: “We are looking at the allocation of up to £80,000 for mobile CCTV.

“If you have got a CCTV camera that is in the right place, is there for long enough, people will find a way around it so as not to be seen by it.

“So I think having mobile is worth a lot more than static that is there all the time. You don’t know where it is going to be and when it is going to be.”

CDC’s CCTV control room is currently based in Wycombe – however the monitoring of cameras is set to move more than 35 miles away to Milton Keynes.

Despite raising concerns the transfer would not make the CDC any revenue savings, the council has agreed the plans “in principle” – with the final decision delegated to the council’s healthy communities and environment chiefs.