Keeping our streets safe with CCTV

This article is 4 years old

Press Release

Published on 2 July 2020
Archived on 2 August 2020


Stratford-on-Avon District's CCTV scheme has again received national accreditation for its excellent CCTV system.

The District Council's CCTV system has received the British Standard Accreditation BS7958 which recognises good management and practice of CCTV and also the Surveillance Camera Commissioner's Code following a recent audit.

Cllr Sarah Whalley-Hoggins Community Portfolio Holder says: "This is an absolute triumph for the team and is richly deserved. These awards demonstrate the high calibre team that is in place overseeing CCTV and the high priority that is the security and safety of residents and visitors to the District. Safety and Security is of paramount importance to Stratford District Council and its residents.

"Our investment in both obtaining and maintaining the highest quality system and training for operators will always be one of our top priorities and I thank all those who work tirelessly in our control centre and behind the scenes that help to keep our streets a safer and more secure place to work, live and enjoy. Stratford District is very lucky indeed to have such high calibre, dedicated professionals working to keep the residents safe across the district."

Accreditation under British Standard 7958 follows a comprehensive assessment based on 120 separate criteria. The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice sets out 12 guiding principles, which strike a balance between protecting the public and upholding civil liberties.

The District Council has invested £796,000 on upgrading the Council's CCTV scheme and infrastructure. The scheme is operated in partnership with local towns and parishes and recent improvements include new replacement cameras across the district in Alcester, Bidford, Henley, Shipston, Southam, Stratford, Studley and Wellesbourne. Fibre lines transmitting images have also been upgraded, connecting cameras to the 24/7 control centre in Stratford. The District Council's CCTV Operators and Warwickshire Police now benefit from enhanced facial and vehicle image quality and zoom capability.

Operationally, the CCTV control room continues to provide monitoring with experienced operators working to detect and prevent crime. Ongoing partnership working with Warwickshire Police has recently seen positive results concerning: the distribution and supply of drugs, theft, robbery and antisocial behaviour in the district. The CCTV control centre has also played a role in assisting the Police and those vulnerable during the enforced lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CCTV control room's upgraded technology has also provided the capacity for expansion with the opportunity to provide safety and security services for other organisations. The systems now potentially can be used for alarm monitoring and response, but we can also incorporate different types of CCTV into our central control room, for example crime prevention & detection of public spaces, retail and business facilities or buildings, property management, flood monitoring, traffic monitoring or events, . If you would like more information about how the system could benefit your business or organisation's safety or security needs please email: cctv.consultation@stratford-dc.gov.uk

 


Contact details

Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House, Church Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire,
CV37 6HX
Tel: 01789 267575

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Last updated on 02/07/2020