Loughborough CCTV Control Centre Online
Posted on April 17, 2008, 4:06 pm
COVERAGE of Charnwood’s CCTV cameras around the clock is being hailed as a major tool in making the Borough an even safer community to live and work.
A state-of-the-art operations room at Charnwood Borough Council has been officially switched on following its move from Loughborough Police Station.
Previously, the cameras were observed for less than 30 hours a week by one officer but a team of Charnwood Borough Council trained staff will now provide 24/7 coverage.
The transfer into the new accommodation, which looks like something off the set of the TV series spooks, means the team – assisted by the police – can offer improved support to all the emergency services using both CCTV coverage and their extensive communications capability day and night.
As well as currently covering key locations in Loughborough they will also be able to monitor cameras planned for Anstey, Birstall, Mountsorrel, Sileby, Syston and Thurmaston at the touch of a button.
Peter Hinton, Charnwood Borough Council’s Head of Community Safety, said: “All our own and national surveys have shown strong public support for CCTV coverage where it directly contributes to the reduction in criminal offences and Anti-Social Behaviour.
“It aids the police to quickly intervene in incidents and often provides crucial evidence to support prosecutions.
“Staff are trained to watch for behaviour patterns that identify potential offenders and use the system to gather imagery of the offences.
“The existing Council camera networks are constantly reviewed and the new operations room is designed to allow additional cameras to be added from suitable locations across the Borough.”
“I’m confident that, by working with the police and other partners, this will be a huge benefit in reducing the fear of crime.
“The range of communications available to the Operations Room staff provides an invaluable co-ordinating role across a range of other services, including our own Street Wardens.
“These are all critical improvements aimed at making Charnwood a safer community in which to live and work.”
Chief Superintendent Daimon Tilley, Commander of the North Area, said; “This new service will provide the most comprehensive CCTV coverage Charnwood and Loughborough has ever seen.
“To have the cameras monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week is beneficial for three main reasons. It will reassure members of the community; act as a strong deterrent and provide visual evidence that can be used to help secure convictions in court.
“The strength of the system lies in partnership work between the police, the CCTV Operators and local shops and pubs, many of whom are linked by retail radios, enabling them to share information and act quickly when problems do occur.
“It is great news for everyone.”
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