CCTV control room tackling crime

Swale Borough Council’s CCTV control centre is expanding to become a national safety hub.

The council’s control centre monitors Swale’s public space CCTV cameras 24/7, 365 days a year and works closely with Kent Police to tackle crime and keep residents safe.

They have now partnered with Gravesham Borough Council and Folkestone Town Council to monitor their Public Space CCTV cameras, which will bring in additional resources and staff, as well as improve the control centres’ facilities. As part of this partnership, Swale’s control centre can provide Councils with cost-saving solutions, whilst ensuring their public space CCTV is actively monitored 24/7 365.

This is in addition to the public space CCTV cameras, the control centre also monitors for local parish councils, along with a number of commercial cameras for private contractual agreements.

Swale Borough Council also oversees Swale Link, a business crime reduction partnership, which gives local businesses who sign up a radio to communicate with the control centre and the police, allowing for quick coordinated responses whenever any incidents occurs.

The benefits of the scheme were seen recently when the control centre supported the arrests of three people who forced their way into a phone store on Sittingbourne High Street to steal thousands of pounds of stock.

There are currently more than 70 businesses signed up to the scheme, which uses a network of CCTV and instant communication to tackle thefts and other anti-social behaviour.

Swale’s control centre is exploring monitoring other area’s CCTV networks, growing the network of cameras, and making tracking criminal’s movements over council borders far more efficient and effective.

The control centre also offers a range of services from public space and commercial CCTV monitoring, access control, out of hours, and facilities management.

Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the community committee, said:

“We have assisted the police numerous times to bring people to justice, and help business stay safe, which is a testament to how capable and effective our control centre is.

“Growing the network of CCTV our control centre monitors not only funds improvements to our service, but also allows us to help Kent Police monitor, track and catch the people harming our community – even if they leave Swale.

“We have just hit the milestone of over 70 partners across Swale signing up to Swale Link, demonstrating the immense value our service offers to our local businesses.

“To any potential thieves and criminals - just know that our CCTV control centre is keeping an eye on our businesses and residents to make sure they are safe, so if you commit a crime you will be caught.”

Denise Knights, Enterprise Manager for Launch IT Charity, said:

“Swale link gives me and my business peace of mind and the feeling of security for the premises and those that work within it.

“The clients that work alongside me at the building, do so in the knowledge that they have real-time communication with the camera staff and police, should there be a need. Our insurance companies look favourably on this added service too.

“It is also important for when we have events knowing that there is always an eye on the building. This gives confidence to the attendees and knowledge that should anything go wrong they have access to the CCTV team and real-time communication with local police.

“I have used my radio to report fly tipping, criminal damage and ASB, all that were dealt with efficiently and to a desired outcome.

I wouldn’t be without this service and would highly recommend it.”

Cllr John Burden, Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, said:

“One of our greatest priorities is doing whatever we can to improve safety by reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly in our town centre.

“We are very pleased to have entered into a new partnership agreement with Swale for the management of our public space CCTV system.  As part of this move, our CCTV cameras are now operator-monitored 24 hours every day, all year round.

“Live and direct communication channels between Kent Police, our operators and local businesses that are members of the G-Safe Business Crime Reduction Initiative are invaluable in helping us to prevent and deter crime, respond more effectively when incidents take place and ultimately help with the gathering of evidence to bring offenders to account.

“CCTV can also be instrumental in helping to protect children and vulnerable adults, for example, by locating someone who may be missing, or supporting emergency services in the event of an accident.

“In Community Safety public consultations carried out in the Borough, having a proactive CCTV service has always been one of the most common requests made by local people and businesses and we have listened to those requests.

“We are working with all our partner agencies and local businesses to develop and strengthen our local economy and want to encourage more people to take advantage of what our town has to offer; people feeling safe is a key factor in being able to achieve that goal and a sound and reliable CCTV system with live monitoring makes a significant contribution.”

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