Croydon pays more than £1m on CCTV (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon pays more than £1m on CCTV

10:40am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News By Nick Hitchens

The council is spending more than £1m a year on its CCTV network.

Figures released in a report on the use of CCTV show Croydon spent £5,329,589 between 2007 and 2011, more than £1m every year and the fifth highest in the UK.

With only 84 cameras in operation across the borough, this works out on average as £15,861 per camera every year.

The council said the breakdown of costs includes staff wages and maintenance and the spend on every camera is £1,500 a year.

The research was conducted by privacy and civil liberties group Big Brother Watch.

Nick Pickles, director of the group, said: "Surveillance is an important tool in modern policing but it is not a substitute for policing. In too many cities across the country every corner has a camera but only a few ever see a police officer."

In total £515m was spent by local authorities on CCTV during this period.

Mr Pickles added: "There is no credible evidence that more cameras will reduce crime, yet councils have poured enough money into CCTV in just four years that would have put more than four thousand extra police officers on the streets."

The council said: "In Croydon there is no doubting its value to crime-fighting agencies.

"Last year we had to cope with the riots and several rioters have been caught thanks to CCTV, which is testament to its value.

The council employs one CCTV and systems manager, five CCTV supervisors and ten CCTV operators to run the CCTV control room 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on a shift system.

"The cameras regularly help police arrest suspects for assault, shoplifting and disorderly behaviour. They are also used to help find missing people.

"Croydon Council parking services also has access to the CCTV system for enforcement purposes."