Council to look into CCTV scheme

WESTBURY Town Council is to look into the effectiveness of the town’s CCTV scheme.

At last week’s Policy and Resource meeting it was decided to set up a task and finish group to collect information on the CCTV scheme with the intention to report back to the council.

The report will include investigating how the system can be developed, what new technology is available, where cameras are best placed and the likely cost of replacing and maintaining the existing system.

Administration assistant for the town council, Kieran Thorburn, said, “The report will look into the effect it has had on the town’s crime rate – has it gone down? Has the CCTV made it easier to solve crime? Does the cost outweigh the benefits?

“Since the introduction of the CCTV scheme there has been no consistent report into its effectiveness.”

When asked if this report could bring an end to the town’s CCTV scheme, Kieran said, “No. This will be the start of an ongoing report. We want to make sure that the money being spent is being used wisely.”