Proceeds of crime could finance CCTV upgrade

Proceeds of crime could finance CCTV upgrade

17 October 2018

THE proceeds of crime recovered by a leading government department could be used to help finance an upgraded CCTV system in the district’s main towns.

Police chiefs are to investigate if money in the Department of Justice’s assets recovery community scheme could be used to finance a new digital security system.

Part of the money allocated to the scheme supports projects that prevent crime or the fear of crime, with the possibility of some of the cash being directed to the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area discussed during a recent meeting of the 

district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP).

During the meeting, PSNI Superintendent David Moore agreed to investigate if money could be secured under the scheme to support the district’s CCTV system following a request from the floor.

Several weeks ago, council officials suspended a controversial decision to axe CCTV cameras from the district’s main towns in the wake of stinging criticism from the business community.

The local authority was set to pull the plug on the system installed a decade ago in Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch, but bowed to mounting public pressure to keep the cameras rolling.

The cameras were due to be axed next March with council officials arguing the system had “reached the end of its useful life”.

They also said the move to end CCTV provision coincided with a continuing reduction in crime across the district. 

However, the argument has cut little ice with those in business across the district, who believe the presence of the cameras acts as a deterrent to crime and anti-social behaviour.

While axing the CCTV system is being blamed on reduced funding and problems over recent years with breakdowns resulting in the cameras being out of action for long periods, traders made it clear during public consultation on the proposal that they want the cameras to remain in place.

Council officials say ratepayers have been footing increasing repair bills associated with the security cameras and revealed the cost of updating the existing system or providing a new one would be very expensive. 

Officials have been tasked with engaging with external technical experts to complete a detailed scoping exercise to look at current and future CCTV requirements. When the exercise has been completed, a detailed report will be tabled for discussion. 

In the meantime, council officials have been instructed to ensure that the security cameras not only remain operational in Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch, but are fully maintained.

A report on CCTV provision tabled at a recent meeting of the PCSP said it was important for people to feel safe in their own community, with the presence of the cameras seen as a “deterrent in the fight against crime.”

While the report indicated there was a “marked decline” in recorded crime across the council area, there was no evidence to indicate how much of this could be attributed to the presence of the security cameras.

The report said business people needed to be more informed about CCTV provision in their area and that the funding element in relation to upgrading the current system “was a matter that needs to be carefully considered”.

Cllr Robert Burgess, PCSP chairman, believes the presence of security cameras in main towns acts as a deterrent to would-be criminals and understands the concern across the business community about their potential removal.

He said: “A decision has been taken to put on hold a proposal to end security camera coverage across 

the district, with technical experts asked to provide an overview on the existing system and a potential new one.

“Potential ways of financing an enhanced system are also being investigated as the current one is unfortunately outdated. I believe the cameras should remain in place.”