CCTV after 'thugs wielding sticks' attack wardens

CCTV is to be installed at a row of shops after council wardens were "attacked by thugs wielding sticks".

The incident took place earlier in the year when staff visited Spencer Beck shops, off Allendale Road, in Ormesby near Middlesbrough.

Conservative Curt Pugh, who sits on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, added the wardens were attacked by a group carrying " sticks and wooden poles".

He claimed police were unable to trace those involved because there was no CCTV in place.

Pugh said he had joined wardens on a walkabout and was told the area was one of the most troublesome they had to patrol.

He added it had become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, illegal off-road bikes and drug dealing, and called on the council to install cameras around the shops.

Deputy leader Carrie Richardson, Labour, said the council was putting cameras at several locations known for anti-social behaviour, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"I can confirm that Spencer Beck shopping precinct is one of the locations where a new CCTV camera is to be installed," she said.

"There is already a suitable column in place and the project will be complete by March."

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