THE Westbury and Warminster CCTV team are on the look-out for more volunteers to help monitor CCTV across the two towns.
There are 39 cameras across both towns including the West Wilts trading estate. The CCTV team is made up of nine staff, both paid and volunteers. A standard shift will involve monitoring the screens for anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, assaults, public order, domestic violence, concern for welfare, missing persons, drink driving or drug dealing.
Once an incident is identified you will have a direct radio link with Wiltshire Police and will inform them of the incident. After officers are dispatched to attend the scene, you will continue to monitor the situation ensuring that you are capturing footage that will assist the police in the prosecution of the offenders.
When incidents are occurring, often a second operator will be working, as multiple cameras may need to be watched and moved, the radios need answering, possibly the phone as well. Westbury Town Council became a partner with Warminster Town Council in 2003 and have their cameras monitored from the Warminster control room since then.
If you feel you could spare some time on a regular basis to help keep our community safe, please contact Warminster Town Council on admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk or call 01985 214847 for more info. Training will be provided, and all volunteers are required to have a security check.
A spokesperson for Warminster Town Council says, the team “are always looking for additional volunteers. This can be a rewarding, community focused volunteering role. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide a safer town centre environment for the general public and reduce the fear of crime.
“There is no doubt that we accept CCTV as part of our daily lives. There is an expectation that to make us feel safe we need the security of cameras. Staff have to ensure that we observe codes of practice to operate the scheme in line with good ethical practice and that it is not open to the abuse of individuals civil rights and privacy.
“We have a very good relationship with Wiltshire Police and work in partnership with them to share information, review footage of crimes and secure evidence that will assist in their investigations. We also provide additional protection for police officers at the scene of incidents by monitoring the surroundings and updating the police control room if the officers are in danger.”
