A note prepared as preparation for our attendance at a meeting of key agencies and stakeholders to discuss the state of CCTV in the city.
What we want:
· A clear method for proposing and getting approval for new CCTV cameras or indeed getting existing cameras moved
Why we want it:
· The rise of anti-social behaviour and drug dealing on the periphery of the existing network
· The cut backs in police numbers which mean that police activity is increasingly report driven
· The poor quality of other reporting systems
· To combat fear of crime
The financing issues:
· BANES commercialisation programme is not delivering investment where it is needed or as quickly as it is needed
· The police contribute little or nothing
· Residents and businesses will not fundraise or sponsor without:
o Getting a say in how the network is managed
o Getting a convincing explanation about why the police don’t contribute
o Without public bodies taking responsibility for ongoing costs
The PCC statement on CCTV financing:
· Appears to suggest that the police regard CCTV as a “nice to have” while officers on the ground, and common observation, say it is increasing essential.
· It does not explain how she is planning to address residents’ concerns without CCTV
Other issues:
· Links to other networks and, in particular, Network Rail
· Lack of control over quality of premises installations
What we want from the meeting:
· Agreement to carry on the discussion about these issues and escalate them to involve the PCC directly – Ben Howlett has offered his commitment
· A clear commitment to address our concerns