CCTV helps tackle crime and fly-tipping in Westbury

A new report has given an insight to the impact of Westbury’s CCTV coverage.

The Town Council’s Policy and Resources Committee were provided the report ahead of a recent meeting.

It highlighted several successes in recent months.

One section read, “One of the waste bins in Penleigh Park was set on fire some months back. The footage from the camera in the park was clear enough for officers to identify the offenders and they have been dealt with.”

CCTV footage has also assisted enquiries in relation to an assault at Penleigh Skate Park, anti-social behaviour outside Tesco and shoplifting in the High Street.

The report continues, “In the last 12 months we have been working closely with Andy Mullings from the Wiltshire Council enforcement team. This has been due to the large increase in fly tipping in Warminster Road car park and outside charity shops in the town. In the car park, the charity clothes bin has been a magnet for rubbish.

“We have been able to work with Andy and provide clear footage and car registration numbers which have led to successful prosecutions. A fly tipping of tyres in the car park recently went to court which led to a criminal conviction.

“The charity shops along High Street have been suffering with people leaving so called charity donations which is actually rubbish – again we have been working with Andy and have several cases under investigation which will hopefully lead to fines or prosecutions.”

Councillor Mark Bailey said he was ‘impressed’ with the report and its explanation that the Westbury and Warminster network is among the best in the county.

Funding opportunities are currently being explored in case the wider CCTV network can be expanded in anyway, the report stated.

Warminster and Westbury CCTV partnership is overseen by a working group of representatives from Warminster Town Council, Westbury Town Council, Wiltshire Council, the Army, Wiltshire Police, West Wilts Trading Estate and local businesses.