CCTV cameras get an upgrade thanks to the Proceeds of Crime Act
More money is due to be ploughed into upgrading Preston’s city centre CCTV network.
An additional £57,000 recovered from criminals is to be spent on the ‘complete upgrade’ of the camera system.
The Police and Crime Commissioner allocated the share of the money from his £500,000 funding pot to Preston.
Preston Business Improvement District committee member Babs Murphy said: “I am delighted that the Police and Crime Commissioner has decided to award the city’s CCTV project additional funds.
“It is clear that he has recognised the collaborative working and investment led by the BID. I want to pay particular thanks to BID’s leads on this initiative, Andy Coverdale from UCLan, the Community Safety Partnership’s Alison Hatton and Preston City Council’s John Bradley.
‘The grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund will be added to that already committed from the BID. This will provide the most comprehensive monitoring platform and equipment the city has ever seen’.”
A first phase of moving the CCTV system to a digital system has already been completed.
Phase two, which already has £100,000 committed to it from Preston BID is to give the cameras technology that allows staff in the control room to speak directly to people on the streets.
Councillor Robert Boswell, cabinet member for community and environment at Preston City Council said: “We are delighted with this investment from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund as well as the continued support of Preston BID. Upgrading Preston City Centre’s CCTV system will help to make Preston an even safer place to be.
“This is an excellent example of partnership working between the public and private sectors – all acting in the best interests of the people of Preston.”
Do you think the CCTV system needs upgrading? What’s your views? Let us know in the comments below