Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Services

The Group Director of Services submitted report (previously circulated) to update members on the Camera Replacement Programme.

The report stated that the review of the CCTV was completed in May 2021 to determine whether the public space CCTV system in Darlington was fit for purpose and met operational requirements.

The report stated that the review established that the Internet Protocol (IP) cameras installed in the town centre produced high equality images and met operational requirements, however, the images from the legacy analogue cameras were soft and compared poorly to the IP Cameras. The review concluded that the analogue cameras should be replaced with new technology and a delivery programme was agreed.

The report detailed that Darlington Borough Council operates a Public Space CCTV system throughout the Borough which primarily supports the Council Plan objectives of keeping the Borough safe, the benefits included: They act as a crime deterrent, They provide peace of mind, They enable the evidence detection and help create conditions for success.

The report stated that through the Home Office Safer Streets 2 Fund, the Council were awarded £230,400 to introduce 17 additional cameras in and around Darlington Town Centre (including subways), Included in this amount £54,510 was match funded by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner. The cameras have recently been installed.

Members discussed how the CCTV Replacement Programme had been funded, if CCTV was implemented in areas of the Borough which were higher in criminal offences would this stop any crimes being committed.

Members wanted to understand whether facial recognition is in use in Darlington, officers advised that this is something in the future that could be looked at. Members wanted to understand if there is any risks assessments in place if a cyber-attack was to take place.

RESOLVED – That the contents of this report be noted.