BT Link Kiosks: Crime Magnets or Tech Upgrades?

0:00On April 28, those BT link kiosks were supposed to revolutionize high streets back in 2018, replacing old foam boxes with free foam, charging, calls, and Wi-Fi. Local leaders hailed them as a fresh tech upgrade to cut down on street trouble like drug use and litter. But now police are calling them crime magnets, especially the ones on Camden High Street near the tube station. People say these big screens block CCTV views, turning spots behind them into hot spots for drug deals. People hang around charging phones, blasting music, and drinking, which draws dealers waiting for two crowds. Police warn the setups, spark anti-social vibes, and make it easy for thieves on bikes to snatch devices. When launched, Camden's finance chief at the time praised them as an exciting first for UK councils. Yet reports show these target users' roadside, and even dealers have used the free calls. Damage like smash screens and fly posting hasn't been fixed, worsening the mess.

1:01Now BT is battling planning rejections with 10 appeals to swap in even bigger models, despite police urging no renewals. They point to legal duties for public phone access, plus perks like emergency buttons, air quality monitoring, and pandemic info updates. Camden Council has yang 19 old boxes near Tottenham Court Road as part of cleanup plans. Meanwhile, BT tells folks to report crimes directly, stressing the hubs free ultra-fast Wi-Fi and charging. As appeals drag on, the debate heats up over balancing tech perks against real street safety risks.