No arrest made for damage at Stoke Lodge despite Cotham School’s claims

Nobody has been arrested for criminal damage to Stoke Lodge playing fields, despite a recent statement from Cotham School claiming that an arrest has been made.

Avon & Somerset police have refuted the school’s facts, clarifying that a man received an out-of-court conditional caution in June following enquiries into criminal damage at the site between December 2021 and February, but that he was never arrested.

Following Bristol24/7 revealing that Cotham School had installed covert CCTV cameras at Stoke Lodge, a police spokesperson has now also confirmed that police officers “did reference the potential use of wildlife cameras” on the site.

But the spokesperson added that “it is the responsibility of the organisation operating the cameras to ensure they are compliant with the necessary regulations”, that in this case is the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

A metal junction box close to an entrance to Stoke Lodge playing fields hides two secret CCTV cameras.

Cotham School says that they use the covert surveillance “reluctantly”, with reference to not using covert CCTV removed from the school’s data protection impact assessment before the cameras were installed in January.

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Read more: School admits carrying out covert surveillance of public

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In a statement, a police spokesperson said: “We have worked with Cotham School over a period of time due to a significant number of reports of criminal damage and antisocial behaviour at the Stoke Lodge Playing Fields.

“As part of our ongoing conversations with staff at the school, we provided information around possible security measures they could consider and crime prevention advice.

“Recently, the school in a statement made refence to the use of covert camera technology citing advice reportedly given by Avon and Somerset Police.

“We fully understand the community’s concern and have subsequently spent a significant amount of time reviewing and analysing communication we have had with the school so we can be open and transparent with the public about our actions.

“In 2020 we advised the school considered the use of CCTV cameras to deter offenders from committing further crimes and to assist with identifying anyone responsible. Our records show we advised clear signs should be placed on fencing to make people aware cameras were in use.

“Due to continued problems at the site, at the start of this year a PC and PCSO had a further conversation with school staff around the use of cameras.

“Within that discussion we did reference the potential use of wildlife cameras which could be used as a cost-effective way of supplementing the school’s crime prevention efforts, on the basis there was already overt CCTV in operation and signs to make the public aware.

“It is the responsibility of the organisation operating the cameras to ensure they are compliant with the necessary regulations.

“We will continue to work with the local community and the school to try to alleviate the issues around criminal damage and antisocial behaviour. We’d ask people report incidents to police or contact the neighbourhood police team with any concerns they have.”

Dog walkers now need to walk around the perimeter of the playing fields – photo: Martin Booth

Bristol24/7 have asked Cotham School for comment on the covert surveillance at Stoke Lodge and the police’s latest comment.

On October 7, we emailed asking if the school received professional advice from lawyers that the covert cameras installed at Stoke Lodge are legal in regards to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

We have yet to receive a response.

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• School admits carrying out covert surveillance of public
• Victim and police’s plea for information one year on from Castle Park rape
• Report into council’s surveillance of SEND parents branded a ‘whitewash’

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