REMOVING CCTV cameras in Allenton to save money would send out the wrong message to gang members, say traders and councillors.

Derby City Council announced earlier this year that it wanted to scrap two of the eight cameras covering Allenton district centre.

But people who live and work there say the shooting of teenager Kadeem Blackwood by members of Allenton-based gang the A1 Crew highlighted a need for the cameras.

John Bestwick, chairman of the Allenton Traders’ Association, said they were a vital security measure that made people feel safer.

Mr Bestwick, who owns JG Bestwick Car Spares, said: “The traders are aware there needs to be cutbacks but we don’t feel Allenton is the right place for that to happen, given the recent gang activity.

“It gives the wrong message, especially after the millions that was spent regenerating the area.

“The cameras were added to make people feel safer.

“We certainly believe that removing them will have a detrimental impact on the area.”

Kadeem, 15, was shot dead in Caxton Street Recreation Ground, Sunny Hill, by members of the Allenton gang after allegedly insulting one of their mothers.

Over the summer, Boulton ward councillor Ranjit Banwait submitted a 1,500-signature petition against the plans to remove the cameras.

He has now written to the leader of the council, Hilary Jones, with several demands.

These include keeping the camera at Spider Island, covering the Enthusiasm youth club, and moving the one at Derbyshire Building Society, which covers the same area as another camera.

It should be relocated to shops around Allenton Food Stores, in Chellaston Road, said Mr Banwait.

He said: “I am even more determined to stop the administration from removing the cameras in the wake of the recent gang problems.

“It will show criminals that the council is soft on crime and undermine public confidence.”

A spokesman for Derby City Council said council officers had met with Allenton ward members and business leaders to discuss the petition.

He said: “The meeting was purely fact-finding, with the aim of listening to more specific questions from local business owners about CCTV cameras in Allenton.

“No decisions have been made about the cameras. A decision is likely in the near future.”

Councillor Jones said: “Research has shown that CCTV is not as strong a deterrent against crime as popular perception would have it.

Also, the two cameras that we are proposing to remove have no recorded incidents in our system.

“We will, of course, listen to all the feedback we’ve received before making a final decision but our