A new CCTV hub covering nearly 250 cameras across East Lancashire is running in Blackburn.
The 24-hour hub in King George’s Hall in the town and covers nearly 250 cameras including Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle and Preston. Operators have access to shop and pubwatch radios, and police radios. Footage can be shared to larger police stations across the county. Blackburn with Darwen Council applied to the Home Office (DCLG) for funding under their ‘Tackling Organised Criminal Gangs’ scheme. Money also came from the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner and the Police Innovation Fund. Staff were re-deployed from the former Burnley, Preston and Blackburn CCTV control rooms.
Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, was joined by partners from other councils involved in the hub, and Lancashire Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constables Mark Bates, pictured.
Mr Khan said: “This is a great centralised hub and I am delighted that we have been able to work together to provide such a valuable service on behalf of our residents. CCTV is a fantastic way to deter, catch and convict criminals and we now have a state-of-the-art control room that covers a large area and means we can all join up so much better and share all information we have in a fast and efficient way.”
Technical furniture manufacturer Thinking Space Systems has fitted custom-designed control room furniture.
