Corby CCTV cameras play '˜key' role in crime fighting

Corby’s CCTV control room is managed and paid for by Corby Council and has more than 120 public space cameras based around the whole borough as well as seven cameras in work spaces and four ANPR cameras.

Since 1994, when the scheme was launched with just four cameras, the control room has helped police apprehend 6,524 suspected offenders.

After a £20,000 upgrade at the end of 2017, which paid for a new eight-channel recorder, monitors and HD dome cameras, this year alone, the CCTV operators have already helped police make 90 arrests.

Six members of staff work in shifts 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year watching over the streets of the borough.

So far in 2018 the CCTV staff have been involved in one proof of life request from a different police force, helping to find 24 wanted people, in 15 requests to assist the police in enquiries about crime including shoplifting and stolen bikes and 113 missing persons enquiries.

They have also dealt with 39 insurance-related queries including road traffic collisions and damage to vehicles.

In the summer, footage was released to show just how easily a bike was stolen from Corby swimming pool in under ten seconds.

The figures were revealed in a report to members of Corby council’s crime panel who will meet tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.

In the report, community safety manager Antonia Malpas said: “The system upgrades have transformed the system, migrating from mainly analogue to IP use.

“The CCTV control room is a core Community Safety function providing an effective single point of contact for live incidents as well as enhancing the safety of lone-working members of staff undertaking duties within the wider Borough Council team.

“CCTV has played a key part in reducing crime and the fear of crime in Corby, contributing towards community confidence and enhancing Corby as a positive place to live and work which is key to achieving our corporate targets and vision.”

Although there have been many worries voiced nationally about privacy, the council has not recevied a single request for any cameras to be removed or their locations altered.

The report added: “CCTV has been and continues to be a valuable tool in fighting crime by providing evidence when crimes are committed, acting as a deterrent and contributing towards community confidence.”

You can view the location of all the borough’s CCTV cameras here