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Bristol has developed a highly successful CCTV system which is being used as a national example of good practice by the Home Office. Recently the Programme Manager for National CCTV Strategy commented “This is an excellent example, you can be proud of the work the team are doing which provides significant support to Government recommendations in the National CCTV strategy”.
The two authorities have been working together for some time. In the past year South Gloucestershire Council has invested over £300,000 upgrading its CCTV. The new state of the art system provides much clearer images through the use of improved, fire-optic technology to help detect crime and provide assurance to the public. South Gloucestershire Council has been working in partnership with Bristol City Council by using the Bristol Control room to monitor the cameras.
“This is a really good example of two Authorities working together to use the system in a most effective way and this makes Bristol a highly suitable place to hold this conference “said Derek Maltby of Global MSC Security.
South Gloucestershire Council has linked together with the Bristol network, creating their own South Gloucestershire network. Both Bristol and South Gloucestershire Councils have direct contact with the local police who can instantly view any footage of suspicious behaviour. Both also have police officers in the CCTV control room on Friday and Saturday evenings to ensure action is taken instantly against anti-social or violent behaviour. The control room officers can also identify vulnerable people in need of assistance, which can be provided quickly.
Councillor Heather Goddard, executive member for communities at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “The council has recently invested around £300,000 in a new state of the art CCTV system. South Gloucestershire is generally a safe place to be, but the proportionate use of our cameras assist both us and the police to help make the public even safer. We work closely with our neighbours Bristol to provide the most cost effective service we can.”
“Since the National CCTV Strategy was published in October 2007, organisations, especially local authorities have been endeavouring to interpret and adopt its recommendations. The Emergency Control Centre operated by Bristol City Council is held up as an example of great co-operation between the services it provides for neighbouring authorities” said Mr Maltby.
The good practice that is being spread out from Bristol includes camera sharing and networking with local retail centres and businesses. Bristol City Council has also pioneered using the control room (open 24 hours every day) and staff to generate income by working for other Councils, organisations and business across the country. Apart from monitoring the screens, they provide services such as monitoring lone workers, being the contact point for various Care Lines and running security monitoring and fire alarm services.
“We have a system which is second to none but also the income that the Bristol team are raising means the costs for running this highly efficient and pioneering service is not falling on Bristol Council tax payers and that we can continually improve the technology” said Cllr Gary Hopkins, Cabinet member for the Environment and Community Safety.
In addition to the Seminar on 9th March 2010, during the day on 8th March, delegates from all over the country will have an opportunity to visit the Bristol City Council Control Room at an Open Day and meet with the team to see how the National CCTV Strategy is being put into practice.
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