Blaenau Gwent’s CCTV Update

Blaenau Gwent’s CCTV technology is ageing; more than 50% of its CCTV cameras are not working.

20:33 22 October 2018

A recent council report has revealed that more than 50per cent of CCTV cameras in Blaenau Gwent are not working. The non-functioning cameras are located in Ebbw Vale, Brynmawr, Cwm and at Rassau underpass.

 

The report reads: "The existing system and analogue cameras have reached the end of their useful life and technical support to maintain the cameras is becoming harder to procure.

 

"The main server used to record and transmit images to Newport has failed and a temporary replacement server does not provide a recording function.

 

"This means that the current system only allows Newport to monitor images and they cannot provide recorded images to the police for evidence purposes."

 

A spokesman for Blaenau Gwent council said: "The provision of CCTV is not a statutory service.

 

"An alternative service delivery model for CCTV was agreed by council as part of the budget setting process in early 2014 with the monitoring of images being out-sourced to Newport City Council.

 

"Due to other priorities and the delivery of statutory services it has not been possible to invest and support in a CCTV service.

 

"Whilst CCTV is a valuable tool to support community safety, crime prevention and detection, there are other measures in place to deal with community safety issues and Blaenau Gwent actively uses these."