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April news

CCTV cameras act as major deterrent to crime

Statistics just released for the first three months of 2008 show that 1384 incidents resulting in 346 arrests were recorded by the network of 172 CCTV cameras in Portsmouth, showing how effective the cameras are in helping law enforcement in the city.

The CCTV cameras – all run from the control room in the Portsmouth Civic Offices, by a team of 11 staff, that work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – have been widely used to help combat anti-social behaviour.

“The network of cameras acts as both a deterrent to would-be criminals and a tool for collecting evidence for prosecution of those who do break the law,” said Head of Community Safety Rachael Dalby. The cameras have certainly proved their worth over the twelve years they have been installed with over 16,000 arrests being made in the city where cameras have collected evidence for prosecution.

“The reduction in incidents compared with January-March 2007 reflects the reduction in crime recorded and owes much to partnership working in the city.”

Ray Stead, who is Portsmouth City Council’s CCTV Manager, said:” We have to adhere to a strict code of practice relating to data protection and human rights ensuring that there is no abuse of the system. This governs the release of CCTV images to external authorities and the media and is followed at all times.”

He added: “The camera system has been used to assist enforcement agencies solving murder enquiries, preventing anti social behaviour and drug trafficking as well as monitoring traffic and health and safety issues around the City.”

The CCTV control room works with Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Inland Revenue, transport police and many agencies within PCC.

In 12 years, the CCTV cameras have been involved in more than 110,000 incidents located by the network, including incidents reported by other people and covered on camera, and incidents requested to be covered by Hampshire Constabulary.

The figures for the first three months of 2008 are:

• 378 incidents located and recorded by cameras
• 378 incidents reported by others
• 509 incidents requested to be recorded by the police
• 119 incidents requested to be recorded by the Portsmouth Business Crime Reduction Partnership (PBCRP)

Out of these:

• 69 arrests were made because of CCTV crews noticing incidents
• 106 arrests were made by police following a request for CCTV cameras to record an incident
• 157 arrests were made following requests for recording incidents by other individuals and organisations
• 38 arrests were made following requests to by the Portsmouth Business Crime Reduction Partnership (PBCRP)

Date : 18 April 2008

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