A brass plaque marking the launch of CCTV outside a busy pub has been stolen – from under the noses of three cameras just yards away.

ormer Home Secretary Jack Straw unveiled the brass plate marking the installation of the system to keep an eye on Sedgley.

But ironically thieves have unscrewed the plaque from the wall of The Clifton pub right opposite the bank of cameras positioned on the Bull Ring island.

The cameras may have caught the thieves on film but West Midlands Police say they will only bother to investigate if the matter is officially reported.

Today there was confusion about whether the police or Dudley Council was responsible for releasing CCTV images which could identify the culprit – and it is not even clear when the theft took place.

Read the full story in the Express & Star. 

A brass plaque marking the launch of CCTV outside a busy pub has been stolen – from under the noses of three cameras just yards away.

ormer Home Secretary Jack Straw unveiled the brass plate marking the installation of the system to keep an eye on Sedgley.

But ironically thieves have unscrewed the plaque from the wall of The Clifton pub right opposite the bank of cameras positioned on the Bull Ring island.

The cameras may have caught the thieves on film but West Midlands Police say they will only bother to investigate if the matter is officially reported.

Today there was confusion about whether the police or Dudley Council was responsible for releasing CCTV images which could identify the culprit – and it is not even clear when the theft took place.

Resident Bob Fessey noticed the plaque had been taken from its slot.

“It seems ironic to me that a plaque commemorating the installation of CCTV to improve security within Sedgley should be stolen,” said Mr Fessey from The Northway.

“There was and still is a big problem with yobs in the town and that’s why the cameras were installed. I assume the plaque was taken because it was brass.”

Ward councillor Charles Fraser Macnamara said he still believed CCTV was a deterrent. He said: “It does act as a deterrent and for enforcement producing CCTV in court cases can make a big difference.”

Mr Straw was invited to the town in 2001 by the then Dudley North MP Ross Cranston to see the cameras, funded by the Government, Dudley Council and Sedgley traders, in action. 

He presented the plaque to then mayor George Davies and took a tour of the CCTV control room.