Tonbridge and Malling Passive CCTV System

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council considers moving to an entirely ‘passive’ CCTV system.

21:55 30 October 2019

In a move to eliminate staffing cost, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is contemplating whether or not they will move to an entirely ‘passive’ CCTV system. Under this model, CCTV cameras will still be used to capture footage, but nobody will be actively monitoring them. A change to a full passive system would save the council £100,000 a year and £215,000 per annum if they decide to stop all CCTV operations.

 

The proposal was rejected by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee amid warnings from the Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

Chief Inspector Peter Steenhuis, District Commander for Tonbridge and Malling, opposes the idea. He said: “Kent Police acknowledges the role of CCTV in helping to keep residents and visitors safe, and also the assistance it can offer to criminal investigations and the work of the town centre Business Crime Reduction Partnerships.”

 

“However, in addition to crime and disorder, it should be noted that CCTV can be used for partners in a number of different areas.”

 

“This can include assessing whether an incident requires emergency service attendance, locating missing people, targeting fly-tippers and other anti-social behaviour, and co-ordinating the multi-agency response to civil emergencies such as the risk of flooding.”