New mobile CCTV in fight against crime (From Worcester News)

New mobile CCTV in fight against crime

4:50pm Saturday 27th October 2012 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed

MOBILE CCTV cameras have been introduced for the first time as a new weapon in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour in Malvern.

And they already appear to be having an impact, with anti-social behaviour down by almost half in some parts of the town over the last year.

Malvern was previously protected by 14 static cameras fixed in various locations around the town.

However high maintenance and monitoring costs, and the fact the cameras rarely recorded any incidents taking place, saw a decision to upgrade. Now three new mobile cameras are being used to monitor hotspots and since their introduction five recordings have already been used as evidence in criminal proceedings.

Gordon Morris, street scene manager at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “One of the main advantages of the mobile cameras is that they can be moved around different locations throughout the district. The police have remote access to the cameras and can view and control them round the clock.”

Malvern Hills Community Safety Partnership, which funded the cameras, believes they have made a key contribution to figures that show a 21 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour across the Malvern Hills District, with particular successes in Malvern Link, where it is down by 28 per cent and the Chase ward, where it has fallen by 48 per cent.

Councillor Phil Grove, responsible for community safety at Malvern Hills District Council, said : “Our vision is to listen to local issues and bring about a safer Malvern Hills by working in partnership to tackle anti-social behaviour, reduce crime and deliver continual improvement to the local community. Ensuring that residents feel safe and secure and know who to turn to is an important part of our approach.”