During the Conservative Party Conference this October, Tobias Ellwood invited Party Leader, Michael Howard MP, to Boscombe to meet residents and local police.

During the visit, accompanied by local Inspector Mark Kelly, Mr Howard was shown the BT phone kiosks in Boscombe High Street, which were regularly used for drug dealing at night. The advertising on the walls of the kiosk provided the cover drug dealers needed to avoid Boscombe's CCTV system recording illegal activities. Frequent requests by the police failed to get the advertising removed.

On hearing the problem, Mr Howard, who knows the Chairman of BT personally, offered to write to Sir Christopher Bland requesting the advertising be removed.

Following Mr Howard's involvement, the advertisements have been taken down allowing the CCTV cameras full view of the kiosks.

Tobias Ellwood has written to thank BT for their help and asked that advertising also be removed from kiosks situated just off the High Street on Sea Road and also on Walpole Road where illegal activity continues to take place at night.

Commenting on BT's actions, Tobias Ellwood said:
I am very pleased that Mr Howard's visit has resulted in helping Boscombe combat drug dealing. Boscombe's CCTV is an invaluable aid to helping the police monitor the area and this is a helpful step in making our High Street safer. The CCTV system was originally switched on by Mr Howard when he was Home Secretary and he will be delighted to learn that such a simple act has led to improving its use.

For more information please contact:

Tobias Ellwood
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
Bournemouth East
Haviland Road West
Bournemouth
BH1 4JW

Email: Tobias@bournemoutheastconservatives.com