Calls for a review of Spalding’s CCTV operation
A councillor has called for a review of a town centre’s CCTV operation.
Coun Ingrid Sheard has told this paper that combating anti-social behaviour in Spalding must be a ‘priority’, and has questioned whether the current system needs an overhaul after being approached by concerned members of the public.
Problems in the town centre have been highlighted in recent weeks, with concerns expressed about drinking and drug taking, by fed-up shoppers and traders.
New high-tech cameras were installed in 18 key spots in Spalding last year after the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership received Safer Streets Funding from the Government.
And deputy leader of South Holland District Council Gary Taylor says that the cameras have been successful in preventing some crimes.
“In my opinion if CCTV is not effective and not serving its purpose then it definitely needs an overhaul, review and we need to find a better way to do this because anti-social behaviour in Spalding needs to become a priority,” said Coun Sheard.
“We need to get on top of this. People don’t come into the town because public comment, certainly to myself, is that people don’t feel safe.
“In my opinion, I definitely think we need to review it.”
Coun Sheard, who was elected onto South Holland District Council in May’s elections, has been in contact with SHDC deputy leader Gary Taylor regarding the issue, questioning how recently the system has been reviewed.
“I asked whether the CCTV cameras had recently been reviewed as, with anti social-behaviour that has been happening in the town, they didn’t seem to be effective in displaying what is going on,” Coun Sheard added.
“I also asked about the effectiveness of the monitoring because it feels, and public opinion seems to be, that they’re not monitored 24/7.
“The response was that they’re monitored in Boston. Gary Taylor commented he had been previously and thought the facility was very good.”
Coun Sheard has requested a visit to see the system in operation ‘to see how many monitors display Spalding, what goes on and how many people monitor’.
Coun Taylor said he was ‘pleased’ Coun Sheard had taken an interest in the topic.
He believes the cameras are a proven deterrent but their presence will ‘never reduce crime by 100%’.
“Because the control room is in Boston, it doesn’t mean the Spalding cameras are forgotten about. They are fully monitored by trained professionals who watch all the screens.
“I’ve been in there and seen how it’s prevented crime. A smashed window did not take place because of a camera up there. Also I’ve seen evidence being gathered of crimes for arrests and how they protect vulnerable people.
“It has been very successful and we know, from before the cameras were installed in Spalding, it was actually a shoplifting hotspot where neighbouring towns with cameras said people came to Spalding to shoplift because there were no cameras.
“We almost take it for granted we've got this coverage and it’s an asset.”