Colchester CCTV Update

Colchester Council plans to replace existing analogue system in the town centre with a new modern digital network in a bid to tackle crime and anti-so

03:08 29 January 2020

Colchester Council plans to spend £250k to replace existing CCTV cameras in the town centre in a bid to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. It has confirmed that it will purchase high definition cameras to monitor the town centre as well as other crucial areas, including Northern Gateway and Castle Park.

 

 

 

Amphora Trading is set to operate the new system using ultrafast fibre infrastructure that is currently being rolled out in the town following a successful £3.45million bid from the Government’s Local Full Fibre Network Fund.

 

 

 

The council's commercial services boss Theresa Higgins (Lib Dem) said:

 

"We are committed to investing in our town centre, to make it a safer and even more welcoming place where people feel comfortable to shop and enjoy their leisure time."

 

 

 

"Our ongoing work to deliver ultrafast broadband across the borough will enable us to deliver new state-of-the-art digital CCTV more economically than would have otherwise been possible."

 

 

 

"We know our current analogue cameras are coming to the end of their life span and don’t always provide clear enough images to help the police with prosecutions.

 

 

 

"If approved, the new digital system will play a key role in helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime across the town centre and other locations in the borough not yet served by existing CCTV.

 

 

 

"We recognise that CCTV can divide opinion, but residents and visitors should be reassured that we will continue to adhere strictly to the codes of practice that regulate public surveillance, to help prevent and detect crime and antisocial behaviour, protect vulnerable individuals and promote social and economic wellbeing, which are so important for any successful and thriving community."