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Cuts To CCTV Monitoring 'A Risk To Public Safety', Date: Friday, January 20, 2012 |
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is next month set to launch a review into whether it should continue to monitor the area's 37 CCTV cameras 24 hours a day. Any changes would affect Paddock Wood, which currently has cameras in Commercial Road, Maidstone Road, car parks and the railway station. Ian Pointon, union chairman of the Kent Police Federation, warned a reduction in CCTV monitoring would be a risky move. He said: "If you have not got the people monitoring it then it loses a lot of its worth." Cameras are currently monitored constantly by qualified operators who immediately alert the emergency services to incidents. But other councils save cash by just recording footage in case it can be used for evidence later, without watching it live all the time. The borough council is trying to save £300,000 this year. Councillor Paul Barrington-King, the cabinet member responsible for CCTV, would not rule out cuts. He said: "As the current CCTV contract ends in April 2013, it is timely to undertake a review." The council shares the operation and its cost with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. It cost £273,190 to run in the 12 months to March 2011. Paddock Wood Business Association chairman Paul Smith warned changes would be "detrimental" to the safety of residents and traders. He said: "I can understand they need to carry out a review but to reduce the service would have a detrimental effect on what we're trying to achieve, which is to minimise crime." Courtesy of SecurityOracle.com - The Secury Industry's Portal |