FOUR new CCTV cameras installed in Stratford are already helping catch criminals.
The cameras have been set up as a part of the Home Office Safer Streets Initiative.
One has been installed by the train station in Stratford town centre, two have been placed on the recreation ground by the bandstand and by the natural play area, and a final camera has been placed on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre building, allowing significant views of the recreation ground.
Since being installed, the CCTV cameras have already assisted in the gathering of evidence in a number of incidents which have resulted in the arrest of individuals and criminal charges being brought.
The CCTV service in Stratford district, is a 24/7 public space CCTV monitoring service.
The scheme assists police officers and businesses in responding to crime as it happens by providing a live CCTV feed to the police control room and assisting in directing police resources to live events. This allows for a quicker response and better understanding of what is happening on the ground for officers before they arrive at an incident.
The CCTV service also provides high quality evidence to be used in judicial proceedings leading to convictions.
The Home Office Safer Streets fund allows police forces and local authorities to invest in transformative crime prevention initiatives including in additional CCTV, lighting and behaviour-based programmes.
Stratford District Council spokesperson Coun Natalie Gist said: “Addressing the fear of crime and keeping people safe is an absolute priority for this administration. The CCTV service is vital to assist in keeping residents safe across the district and we have been able to secure additional CCTV for two key areas of the town.
“In securing this funding we have worked closely with Warwickshire County Council, the
Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and Warwickshire Police. I would particularly like to thank the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for allowing one of the cameras to be placed on the RSC building to enhance the safety of visitors and residents.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe added: “Safer Streets is all about making improvements to our public spaces to not only improve how safe they actually are but also give a confidence to the people who use them. The funding which I was able to secure from the Home Office for our partners across the county is playing an important part of our shared agenda to address violence against women and girls, neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour. I am pleased to see these improvements go live in Stratford and have an immediate benefit.”
