Councils Consider Cutting Back On CCTV Monitoring
Plans to reduce CCTV monitoring in Shrewsbury are expected to gain approval from Shropshire Council’s cabinet. Under these new measures, cameras in the town centre would remain operational, but 24/7 monitoring would be discontinued. This move is part of efforts to address a £62.5 million shortfall in the current financial year’s council budget.
Robert Macey, the cabinet member for culture and digital, expressed regret over the decision, stating, “This is another choice we never wanted to face. Due to our financial challenges stemming from rising costs and increasing demand, particularly in social care (which accounts for £4 of every £5 we spend) we now have no alternative. To achieve financial sustainability, we must evaluate all non-essential services we provide, including CCTV monitoring, to determine how we can manage these more efficiently, reduce expenses, or even discontinue them.”
In Cambridge, the city council spends £526,000 annually on public CCTV to enhance community safety, deter crime in high-risk areas, and support police investigations with evidence. This budget covers both fixed and portable cameras. The council is now consulting with residents to assess whether this level of spending should be reduced as part of efforts to balance the budget. Simon Smith, Cambridge’s Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, explained, “Due to factors beyond our control, such as prolonged austerity and inflation, our operating costs are rising while our income lags. It’s not sustainable for our expenditure to exceed our revenue year after year, so we must explore how to increase our income and reduce expenses.”
Surrey Police previously monitored CCTV from a station that was closed due to deteriorating concrete, transferring responsibility to local councils. In Mole Valley, the district council conducted a public consultation in late 2023 and now plans to shift to record-only CCTV coverage. Keira Vyvyan-Robinson, Cabinet Member for Property and Projects at MVDC, said, “We appreciate the feedback from residents and understand the significance of CCTV for their sense of safety. Although we are not mandated to provide public CCTV, we have committed to maintaining its presence in Mole Valley. After upgrading the existing network and finalising the number and locations of cameras, we will explore expanding coverage with partner organisations and beyond.”
As councils increasingly cut costs, there is a growing need for businesses and organisations to implement their own CCTV systems. These systems offer round-the-clock monitoring to help prevent theft, intrusion, and vandalism, facilitate the early detection of criminal activity, and support faster responses from security teams or law enforcement.
Modern CCTV technology has evolved, providing a variety of systems to fit different budgets, from basic analogue Digital Video Recorders to advanced HD IP Camera networks that can be monitored via mobile devices. The SS Systems team provides comprehensive design proposals tailored to meet specific security needs, ensuring that premises are monitored 24/7 for the safety and peace of mind of residents and staff.
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