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CCTV installed to deter vandals at derelict factory

Liz NiceSuffolk
News imageMatt Marvel/BBC Remnants of a Victorian factory behind a brick wall. Structures pointing up to the grey sky. Buildings to the right and a road in the foreground. Matt Marvel/BBC
The former Fisons factory in Bramford has been derelict for many years

Vandalism at a derelict factory has prompted a council to install CCTV at the site.

Mid Suffolk District Council has brought in the CCTV to deter anti-social behaviour at the Fisons site on Paper Mill Lane, Bramford, Ipswich, even though the owner, Paper Mill Lane Properties, was responsible for its security.

The Victorian former factory has seen a number of serious fires and vandalism over many years.

Andrew Stringer, the cabinet member for heritage planning and infrastructure at the authority, said: "We share the community's frustration at ongoing anti-social behaviour on the site."

News imageMid Suffolk District Council A yellow and blue sign that reads "You will be seen Site Secured 24 Hour". It is hanging on a green fence that surrounds a piece of land. Mid Suffolk District Council
Mid Suffolk District Council has funded CCTV cameras at the former factory to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour

Mid Suffolk District Council said it had responded to community concerns about the site by funding mobile CCTV cameras and it would asking Paper Mill Lane Properties to further improve the site's security.

Stringer said: "To be clear, the site security is the owner's responsibility, and we believe they should be doing more. But Mid Suffolk District Council is so concerned at the potential for somebody to get hurt that we have stepped in to fund some mobile CCTV cameras."

News imageVikki Irwin/BBC Andrew Stringer is pictured in an office with glass windows behind him. He is wearing a grey jacket and green tie.Vikki Irwin/BBC
Andrew Stringer said the site's security was the owner's responsibility

The former Fisons site consists a Victorian industrial complex, which has largely been destroyed by fire leaving significant litter, waste and evidence of fly-tipping.

The factory closed in 2003 and no maintenance or development has occurred at the site for many years.

Stringer said: "It is a shame the original planning permission for the redevelopment of this site was allowed to lapse by the owners. Like everyone in the community, we want to see its future resolved as soon as possible."

Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and north Ipswich, welcomed the CCTV, adding: "I'm glad to see Mid Suffolk District Council taking steps to stop anti-social behaviour on the site. This has been an ongoing issue for quite some time. Let's hope it solves the situation."

Paper Mill Lane Properties has been contacted for comment.

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