New surveillance cameras planned for four towns across…

New surveillance cameras planned for four towns across Nottinghamshire

New surveillance cameras are planned for four towns across Nottinghamshire - and residents are invited to have their say. Broxtowe Borough Council is running a consultation for the consideration of surveillance camera removal, alteration and upgrades to four town centres and surrounding areas.

And the authority is looking to improve existing surveillance coverage by installing a number of new cameras with better modern technology capabilities to assist in the prevention, investigation and detection of crime, the apprehension and prosecution of offenders, help maintain public order, assist with reduction of vandalism and help to reduce the fear of crime in vulnerable public locations.

Plans include:

Beeston: 4 new surveillance camera upgrades, + wireless network and backhaul link upgrade and street level wireless node upgrade
Eastwood: 7 new surveillance camera upgrades

Stapleford: 3 new surveillance camera upgrades (2 were upgraded last year)
Kimberley: 1 new surveillance camera upgrade

According to a statement about the consultation on the council's website: "Broxtowe Borough Council believe there is still a pressing need with legitimate aims to justify upgrading and modernising the existing surveillance system throughout the borough of Broxtowe. The council is proposing to remove old redundant surveillance cameras and upgrade a number of other surveillance cameras within the four main town centres and surrounding areas.

"The proposal will take advantage of modern technology, where possible, to ensure appropriateness and proportionality to minimising loss of surveillance coverage when upgrading the surveillance system. The surveillance cameras will continue to assist in the prevention, investigation and detection of crime, the apprehension and prosecution of offenders, help maintain public order, assist with reduction of vandalism and help to reduce the fear of crime in vulnerable public locations.

"The surveillance system may also be used to support the statutory obligations and duties of the council and serve to resolve complaints against others."

A spokeswoman for the council added: "This work has come about as a result of a cabinet report being submitted and approved as part of our capital programme, the upgrades were part of a review by members of a task and finish group of the borough wide surveillance camera system, but the cameras are being replaced/updated as a result of camera age, effectiveness, quality of evidence rather than being related to any specific crime/surveillance incident.

"The upgrade for the proposal has gone out to tender, but no contract has yet been signed so we are not currently able to disclose the costs of this work."

If you wish to comment on or have any concerns to the proposals outlined, contact the council in writing by 2pm on Wednesday, November 30 – and quote “BBC Town Centre Consultation” in any correspondence.