Proposals to upgrade CCTV in Maidstone town centre have received backing after claims high quality images helped police snare murder suspects earlier this year.

Officers swiftly arrested five people following the death of 37-year-old dad Wesley Adyinka, who was stabbed outside his home at Chaucer House, off Knightrider Street, on February 9.

Kevin Roach, 39, of Peace Close in South Norwood, was then charged with murder and grievous bodily harm.

Prosecutors said at a recent court hearing into Mr Adyinka's death there was 18 seconds of CCTV footage that “showed the incident itself”.

Cllr Jonathan Purle (Cons) told a meeting of Maidstone Borough Council's (MBC) Community, Housing and Environment Committee he approved of plans to spend £110,000 installing new high definition, Wi-Fi enabled CCTV cameras.

"People will be aware of the murder that took place up the road in a certain converted block," he said.

"In that instance, that CCTV footage they took was very clear and meant the police were able to apprehend the suspects promptly and chase after them straight away.

"Likewise, good quality CCTV in the town centre would have the same effect.

"Nobody wants to be have to catch murderers, because we would rather there were not any murders taking place, but I feel a lot happier knowing the police can apprehend these people promptly because of these good quality images."

However, Cllr Patrik Garten (Cons) argued against making such an investment.

He said: "We should have a conversation with police about whether we actually need CCTV, because since we introduced it in this borough, a lot of things have changed - all the shops and shopping centres now have CCTV.

"I know of one cause where someone was assaulted, and the police went to the shop and requested their CCTV, and although the assault happened right under an MBC camera, they never even bothered going to MBC to ask for the footage.

"The figures being aired here is quite substantial money, but CCTV does not stop crime, it's measure for after the horse has bolted."

Kent Police has been approached for comment on the committee's proposals.

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