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Ref: 359/06 5 October 2006
CCTV Trial At Six Cheshire Bus Shelters
The County Council is assessing the success so far of a pilot scheme in which micro CCTV cameras have been fitted to six bus shelters across Cheshire.
Aims of the scheme are to reduce vandalism and help address problems of nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
A special presentation is taking place for invited guests this Friday (October 6) to assess the scheme now that it has reached its half way point of six months.
Footage has already led to two prosecutions and separately a police caution.
The County Council’s Executive awarded a contract to Vetatech who also monitor up to eight cameras at the six locations. Each bus shelter carries a warning that CCTV monitoring is taking place.
The cost to install and monitor the cameras at the six locations costs £16,629 for the year.
Cameras have been sited at some of the county’s most vandalised bus shelters. They are in Church Road, Saughall, Chester, Overpool Road, Ellesmere Port, Elm Drive in Crewe, Crewe Road in Alsager and two bus shelters in Abbotts Way,Winsford.
The prosecutions for criminal damage relate to Crewe and the Police caution to Saughall.
Executive Member for Highways and Transportation John Burke said: “Within only a few weeks the CCTV system proved its worth by capturing vivid images of criminal damage taking place at two of the shelters.
“Working closely with Police and Community Wardens, evidence was collated.
“Equally rewarding has been the reports from some residents living close by some of the bus shelters, who have seen reductions in the problems of youths congregating and other anti-social behaviour.
“We are very pleased that we have been able to see such positive results in such a short period of time and that real community benefits have been achieved.
“This scheme has successfully brought together many organisations with a mutual aim of tackling anti-social behaviour, providing safer public transport and improving safety in the community through partnership working.”
The presentation on October 6 aims to identify organisations interested in entering into partnerships with the County Council or exploring opportunities for other applications of the CCTV system.
It will also centre on the future of the scheme once the pilot ends in March next year.
SW/LJ
Note To Editors: For more information please contact County Councillor Burke on 01244 679657 and Christine Garner from Transport Co-ordination on 01244 603407.
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