Richmond's top cop has defended the filming of teenagers as a legitimate crime prevention tactic after complaints from Twickenham's MP.

Earlier this month Vincent Cable took the complaints of a constituent, named only as Mrs Stack, to Detective Chief Superintendent Rick Turner, Richmond's borough commander.

Mrs Stack was upset about the treatment of two teenagers, one of whom was her daughter, waiting at a bus stop in Teddington - committing no offence or nuisance - who were filmed at close quarters by police officers.

Dr Cable was told by Metropolitan Police officials that such filming was in line with guidelines and who justified it on the grounds that it had been successful in deterring antisocial behaviour.

The statement was echoed by D Chief Supt Turner, but he said he had concerns and was reviewing the use of filming.

"Of course the police must be supported in their efforts to counter antisocial behaviour," he said. "But I worry that this kind of surveillance of young people committing no offence beyond the fact of being teenagers is counter-productive.

"The police do, I think, need to be more careful to avoid lumping together the innocent and those committing an offence."

D Chief Supt Turner said the tactic had only been used 12 times in the borough since January 1 and was only considered when there was intelligence to suggest there may be antisocial behaviour in a certain area.

He said there were indications of possible trouble in Teddington when the girls were filmed and put a lack of arrests down to the officers out filming.

"In general terms I think it is an excellent tactic and we don't do it lightly," he said. "The policy needs to be reviewed in light of best practice and it is right that it is.

"It is unfortunate that Mrs Stack's daughter was involved when she had nothing to do with anything - we will destroy the film."

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