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OUTRAGED Birmingham residents want covert cameras they believe are used to spy on Muslims removed.

There has been widespread anger after supersized lampposts, containing CCTV and ANPR, automated number plate recognition kits, appeared around Kings Heath and Moseley, without public consultation, in April.

Following inquiries by residents it emerged that the cameras were installed using £3 million from a Home Office project, fronted by the Safer Birmingham Partnership, to tackle terrorism and crime in Sparkbrook and Washwood Heath. Residents from Moseley and Kings Heath packed out a meeting on Wednesday and said they were concerned that their wards are being used to form a ring of steel to spy specifically on Muslims.

During the meeting, Jackie Russell, director of the Safer Birmingham Partnership, admitted they were on the “wrong foot” but didn’t know who could actually stop the scheme,

Moseley resident Bridget Parsons, said: “This business about tackling crime is a red herring. This is about targeting a Muslim area. It’s outrageous and people are being made to feel that their movements are being watched.”

Another Moseley resident, Nasir Akthar, a secondary school teacher, said: “How on earth is registering a number plate going to tackle terrorism?”

Councillor Martin Mullaney (Lib Dem Moseley and Kings Heath) said: “I feel uncomfortable about encircling a Muslim area.”

Similar concerns were raised at a Hall Green constituency meeting on Tuesday where the cameras in Washwood Heath and Sparkbrook were discussed.

Councillor Tanveer Choudhry (Lib Dem, Springfield) said: “We were lied to by the police, we never thought that these were counter-terrorism cameras.”

Lynn Jones, former Labour Selly Oak MP, said: “Anyone who wants to fight terrorism knows you have to do it with the help of the community.

Russ Spring, a Balsall Heath resident and member of Miscarriage of Justice, said Muslims were being targeted in the same way Irish people had been during the troubles.