South Holland police officers made 46 arrests thanks to the district’s CCTV

Evidence from CCTV cameras has helped police to make more than 40 arrests in South Holland during a 12-month period – with figures revealed amid calls for the cameras to be reviewed.

Officers were able to make 46 arrests thanks to the cameras in Spalding, Holbeach and Crowland - with 128 incidents reported during the last financial year, a crime and disorder report to South Holland District Council’s performance monitoring panel states.

There was also a rise in the number of alleged anti-social behaviour offenders with ‘complex’ issues such as addiction and mental health challenges.

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.

District councillor Ingrid Sheard called for a review of the CCTV after highlighting concerns raised by the public - while traders have been demanding action is taken in Spalding to clamp down on the anti-social behaviour problems which have been plaguing the town in recent months.

The report to Wednesday’s meeting states: “The team has seen an increase in the number of complex cases where the alleged perpetrators have challenges with misuse of drugs, alcohol and either diagnosed or undiagnosed challenges around mental health.”

It goes on to state that the council holds two multi-agency meetings monthly to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour and another to ‘solve cases where individuals are at risk of homeless and/or have drug and alchol miseuse that are impacting on their ability to maintain a tenancy’.

The report goes on to say: “Further work could be explored to consider options available to help improve outcomes for complex cases, including external funding opportunities for intensive support roles.”

During the last financial year four requests were made for a formal review into cases of anti-social behaviour. The Community Triger allows persistent victims of problems to make such a request. In the previous year there were 12.

Council staff are undergoing training to help identify victims of domestic abuse. There are hopes to introduce Domestic Abuse Officers at all three councils – including South Holland – within the South and East Lincolnshire Councils partnership.

The report also includes statistics on the area’s CCTV cameras.

This shows that 30 arrests were made in Spalding as a result of the cameras, with three in Crowland and none in Holbeach.

It also shows that the busiest camera in Spalding is in New Road were 38 incidents were recorded, followed by Hall Place and Red Lion Street with 36 each. Only five incidents were recorded in The Crescent.

Cameras in Holbeach’s High Street recorded a total of 14 incidents.

l What do you think of the report? Send your views to victoria.fear@iliffepublishing.co.uk or write to the address on page two.