A top Sutton cop believes the triple life sentences handed last week at the Old Bailey has sent out a stark warning to criminals intend on causing trouble in Sutton.

Superintendent Phil Willis thinks the combination of state-of-the-art CCTV and a rule of law called “joint enterprise” makes it much easier for violent criminals to be convicted.

Joint enterprise enables a number of people to be prosecuted for murder when there is no evidence of who inflicted the fatal blow.

There are a total of 84 cameras in the town centre and the police station’s 24-hour CCTV control room means anyone committing any offences can be tracked.

Supt Willis, who is also Sutton Council’s head of community safety, said: “Just because you’re not the one who throws the fatal punch, it doesn’t mean you won’t get a tough sentence.

“If people come to Sutton town centre and misbehave there is a high chance they will get caught. The Ben Gardner attack showed how CCTV can prove a very useful tool.”

On November 1 last year, the night Mr Gardner was attacked, operatives in the control room were able to direct officers straight to the crime scene.

They were also able to follow Daniel Ransom, who was given a life sentence, as he ran away from the scene before he was arrested by two policeman on foot.

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