CCTV cover in a key part of Middlesbrough has been boosted as part of a major Lottery project.
New cameras and upgrades to existing systems have been installed in North Ormesby to increase public confidence and help with crime prevention.
The work was made possible thanks to the National Lottery-funded Big Local Project which will see more than £1 million invested in community initiatives over a ten-year period.
In partnership with Middlesbrough Council the project has responded to community concerns by funding the installation of an additional 32 cameras and two ‘talking’ cameras on the market place.
High levels of crime and anti-social behaviour featured prominently in a survey of local residents, with more than 60% deeming this a priority for Big Local.
Following further discussions with key partners including local residents, Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Police, private sector security companies and housing associations, local knowledge and crime ‘hotspot’ data was used to pinpoint specific locations which would benefit most from new cameras (see map).
Local residents and businesses attended an official launch event, with the new system now fully up and running and monitored around the clock from the Council’s central CCTV control room at Middlesbrough Bus Station.
Police and Council staff can access the CCTV footage, which can play a key role in criminal and civil cases against individuals engaged in criminal or anti- social activity.
During the installation of the new cameras evidence was secured of crime and anti-social behaviour by a problem family on the estate, giving rise to an investigation and possible prosecution.
The cameras also complement the Selective Landlord Licensing scheme which was introduced on January 1.
The purpose of the scheme is to improve standards of property management in the private rented sector, over a five year period of designation which, when combined with other measures, should lead to improved social and economic conditions.
Chair of the North Ormesby Big Local Reverend Dominic Black said: “This is a good opportunity for our community to see a clampdown on crime and anti- social behaviour.”
Cheryl Dixon, BEM and Vice Chair of the Big Local, added: “The improvement and installation of the CCTV will go along away to ensuring North Ormesby residents feel a lot safer in their community.”
Councillor Mick Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “These improvements have been made possible by North Ormesby’s National Lottery-funded Big Local project, and will make an important contribution to the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Local residents have made it very clear that they wanted to feel safer in their community and that more and improved CCTV should be provided.
“The various agencies working within the ward now have access to increased information-sharing and intelligence-gathering which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on current levels of crime and disorder.
“Not only is it a powerful deterrent, but it will also assist the Police, Council and other agencies in prosecuting those who break the law.”