Four new CCTV cameras have been installed in Stratford-upon-Avon as a part of the Home Office Safer Streets Initiative.
The four cameras have been installed by the train station in Stratford town centre, with two being placed on the Recreation Ground by the bandstand and by the natural play area, just off the Shipston Road. The final camera has been placed on the Royal Shakespeare Theatre building allowing significant views of the Recreation Ground.
Since being installed, the CCTV cameras have already assisted partners to gather evidence in a number of incidents which has resulted in the arrest of individuals and criminal charges being brought.
The CCTV service in Stratford-on-Avon District, is a 24/7 Public Space CCTV monitoring service which assists in the response to crime and anti-social behaviour within the District.
The scheme assists police officers and businesses in responding to crime as it happens by providing a live CCTV feed to the police control room and assisting in directing police resources to live events. This allows for a quicker response and better understanding of what is happening on the ground for officers before they arrive at an incident.
The CCTV service also provides high quality evidence to be used in judicial proceedings leading to convictions.
The Home Office Safer Streets fund allows police forces and local authorities to invest in transformative crime prevention initiatives including in additional CCTV, lighting and behaviour-based programmes.
Cllr Natalie Gist, Portfolio Holder for Law & Governance, which includes Community Safety said: “Addressing the fear of crime and keeping people safe is an absolute priority for this administration. The CCTV service is vital to assist in keeping residents safe across the District and we have been able to secure additional CCTV for two key areas of the town.
“In securing this funding we have worked closely with Warwickshire County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and Warwickshire Police. I would particularly like to thank the Royal Shakespeare Theatre for allowing one of the cameras to be placed on the RSC building to enhance the safety of visitors and residents.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “Safer Streets is all about making improvements to our public spaces to not only improve how safe they actually are but also give a confidence to the people who use them. The funding which I was able to secure from the Home Office for our partners across the county is playing an important part of our shared agenda to address violence against women and girls, neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour. I am pleased to see these improvements go live in Stratford and have an immediate benefit.”
Cllr Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety at Warwickshire County Council said: “Safer Streets funding has allowed the District Council and its colleagues to enhance the current safety provision we currently have. The Safer Streets ethos allows us to continue to work with our partners on a series of targeted campaigns that really change the lives of those residents living within these specific targeted areas.”
