We last featured the install, and in some cases re-install of on-street cameras in Cumbria by police, after local government turned off public space CCTV due to austerity cuts, in our March 2020 print edition.
Cumbria Police and councils identified areas spend on CCTV infrastructure would best combat small town crime and anti-social behaviour. A first phase saw 56 cameras installed; a second phase is adding 24. It’s been paid for by Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Peter McCall.
Phase two covers single cameras at Ambleside; Brampton outside Carlisle; Main Street, Cockermouth, Kendal and Milnthorpe; two cameras each in Keswick and Kirkby Lonsdale and at Penrith Industrial BID (business improvement district); three at Ulverston in Furness, Wigton and Maryport; and four at Windermere. The largest single install, in phase one in the mid-2010s, is of 15 cameras in the county town of Carlisle. The system is owned and managed by the police and monitored at the county police HQ outside Penrith.
Peter McCall says: “I am delighted that our work with the local councils to develop the next stage of CCTV continues and that the installation of the Phase 2 cameras across the county is progressing. The last year has brought changes in priorities and adapted ways of working. Numerous cameras are already up and running, with the rest of the Phase 2 allocation due for installation over the next few months as we work through the road map of recovery from the pandemic.
“Following on the work with Councilor Pete McSweeney, the excellent partnership working with practical solutions and power supply funding from Cumbria County Council has shown that when we work together, the best results can be achieved. I often talk about ‘we not they’ and this is clear evidence of local communities working with us for a really successful solution for our people.
“The CCTV cameras are a great additional resource in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour and helps to focus and target our officers on criminals and their activity. They have assisted in locating vulnerable missing people, as well as identifying vehicles and individuals suspected to be involved in committing crime.
“People have to feel safe in the area they live and the installation of CCTV cameras provides reassurance to local people, that the police are monitoring anti-social behaviour and its consequences.
“The cameras, along with the recruitment of additional officers to work in local neighbourhoods, forms part of our drive to develop community policing throughout the county to keep people in Cumbria safe.”
Andy Petty, CCTV Manager Cumbria Police adds: “The current pandemic has obviously caused us some operational difficulties in rolling out the CCTV expansion project, but I’m pleased to say that the Partnership have pulled together to ensure that the expansion has continued through these challenging times. The expansion will mean that we have CCTV coverage in many more towns around the county and also provides additional coverage to the existing network.”
Picture by Mark Rowe; on street CCTV, Penrith town centre.
