Bus CCTV terror bill is defended

First Bus has defended a bill, believed to be for £125,000, which was sent to police for providing CCTV equipment to help a terrorism investigation.

The company said equipment removed from vehicles in Bristol to be used as evidence had to be replaced.

Police said it had received the assistance it required from First Bus, including CCTV footage.

Bristol student Andrew Ibrahim, 19, was remanded after being charged with a number of terrorism offences.

'No payment'

A police spokesman said: "We have not made any payment to First Bus on the basis that conditions governing the use of CCTV footage include ensuring it's readily available to law enforcement for the prevention and detection of crime.

"We have not come to any compromise with First Bus over the invoiced payment."

A series of controlled explosions were carried out at Mr Ibrahim's council home in Westbury-on-Trym following his arrest in April.

It is the responsibility of large companies to find the best system they can to aid the police Charlotte Leslie, Conservative PPC for Bristol

He is expected to go on trial in January 2009.

Mr Ibrahim is accused of having articles for terrorism including two home-made vests, ball bearings, nails and screws.

He is also charged with making or having an explosive - hexamethylene triperoxide diamine - with intent.

Justin Davies, managing director of First Bristol, Somerset and Avon, said: "We are committed to help the police, whenever possible, in investigating cases of a serious matter, including national security.

"In this instance, we were able to assist the police in providing CCTV equipment.

"Due to the strict evidential nature of this type of crime, important CCTV equipment had to be removed from our vehicles.

"First has a duty of care for its employees and passengers and this would have left First vehicles without CCTV, which would have had serious operational implications.

"Therefore a suitable compromise was reached with various parties, including the police."

'Best system'

Charlotte Leslie, a Bristol prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservative Party, said she is using the Freedom of Information Act to press the police for more details of the payment.

Ms Leslie said large companies should not be exploiting the national terror threat to make money.

"I think they should look at the fact more of this CCTV footage may need to go to police in the future.

"It is the responsibility of large companies to find the best system they can to aid the police in their enquiries that doesn't put their staff at risk or cost the earth."

So far First Bus has refused to confirm how much it is billing the police for, but said it had reached a "suitable compromise" with the police.