Sevenoaks District's CCTV system has demonstrated that it is not only effective in the fight against crime but also helps the public enjoy a safe night out, is instrumental in dealing with out-of-hours emergencies and even helps to inform residents of local traffic hold ups.
The recent success of the system and its future direction were set out in a recently published annual report by Sevenoaks District Council.
Nearly 100 CCTV cameras cover the District's main towns of Sevenoaks, Swanley, Westerham, Edenbridge and New Ash Green 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Most can pan, tilt and zoom allowing the operators full control of the cameras and all footage is recorded.
During 2005, CCTV instigated, assisted or monitored 226 arrests across the District, one of the system’s most successful years on record. This included a staggering six arrests in one day following four separate incidents in Swanley in November.
The CCTV control room is also at the hub of the Shopsafe and Pubwatch schemes. Retailers and publicans in Swanley, Sevenoaks and Edenbridge are linked to the control room via two-way radios. Control room staff can be alerted to incidents so they can be monitored and the police can be called if necessary. All the partners in the scheme can be informed in an instant if trouble is heading their way.
The CCTV control room staff are also responsible for dealing with out-of-hours emergencies reported to the Council. These can cover floods, noise complaints, stray dogs and dead animals, homelessness and dangerous buildings as a result of fires and accidents. Last year the operators dealt with some 440 calls.
Not only is the system helping to keep the public safe, it also helps to inform drivers of local congestion. The CCTV control room has direct links to motoring organisations who broadcast traffic problems via the TV, radio or the Internet helping to keep motorists up-to-date with the situation on the road.
Over the course of the last year there have been significant improvements to the system. A new camera was installed at the junction of London and Pembroke Road in Sevenoaks providing valuable coverage between the town centre and Sevenoaks rail station.
In addition, Westerham Parish Council funded a new camera at the King Georges’ Playing Field, which has recently suffered from vandalism. Since it went live there has been a noticeable decline in vandalism at the Playing Fields.
Over the last year, the Council also started trials of new digital video recorders. Digital technology has many advantages including clearer pictures and improved storage in hard drives. Currently footage is stored on to videotape and this requires considerable space and significant operator’s time rotating, securing and reviewing the tapes. Should the trial prove to be a success, digital recording will be rolled out from next year.
Cllr Keith Loney, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Safety, says: "Our CCTV network and our skilled operators keep a reassuring eye on the District’s main towns. Not only is this system instrumental in tackling crime and the fear of crime, it also plays a role in improving the quality of our lives whether socialising, driving or in the event of an emergency."
Copies of the CCTV annual report for 2005/6 can be viewed on the Council’s website www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/communitysafety then clicking on the link for CCTV.
To contact the Council in the event of an emergency when its offices are closed, please call 01732 462222.
