Town centre management - CCTV

Streetsafe Fenland's CCTV system makes use of 55 full colour cameras to monitor and protect the local community, town centres and other public facilities in Fenland. The system acts as a deterrent to the criminal, detecting criminal activities thereby helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime in our streets.

Download the Streetsafe Fenland CCTV Coverage Map (pdf)

Fenlands Weapon Against Crime

All camera footage is relayed to the control room via hi-tech fibre-optic cables, where it is monitored and recorded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year providing around the clock surveillance.

These powerful cameras can be used in low light levels and can zoom in close enough to distinguish between a five or ten pound note in your hand!

All of the cameras on the CCTV network are linked to a central control room. The cameras are controlled by highly trained operatives and pictures can be relayed directly to Cambridgeshire Police Headquarters at Hinchingbrooke and local Police Stations to enable the quickest possible response in an emergency or incident.

The control room also links local schemes such as Shop Watch and Pub Watch to offer a coordinated approach to the safety and management of our towns. These schemes provide radio contact between the shops, pubs and the control room helping to fight against shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Some of the types of offences that can lead to arrests include:

• Shoplifting
• Pick-pocketing
• Possession of drugs
• Assault
• Unauthorised taking of motor vehicles
• Public order offences
• Enviro Crimes; littering, graffitti, abandoned vehicles

The pictures from all cameras on the CCTV network are securely archived for future viewing and a playback and editing suite is available for reviewing and copying footage.

Truancy

Aside from the disadvantage of not attending school, youngsters can also get into serious trouble if they hang around unsupervised in the streets and parks.

The Council make good use of the CCTV cameras installed in the town centres to spot truants and then send Police Officers to apprehend them and return them to school.

STREETS ahead

Principally 'Streetsafe' has been focused on law and order, but obviously the operators are in a privileged position to view the activities which occur on our streets, so there is huge potential to be unlocked by linking this resource with the ambitions of such intiatives as 'Streets Ahead', which aims to create 'a clean and safe environment in our market towns and villages'.

Such issues as littering, graffiti, dog fouling and fly tipping can all addressed utilising the additional 55 pairs of eyes provided by the 24/7 monitored CCTV camera system, where evidence recorded will be valuable in future enforcement.

Working in Partnership

The Streetsafe Fenland CCTV System was set up with the help of significant funding from the Home Office and the ongoing operation is funded in partnership with local Town Councils and Cambridgeshire County Council.

Supporting Partners

Cambridgeshire Constabulary - Cambridgeshire County Council - Chatteris Town Council - Fenland District Council - March Chamber of Trade - March Town Council - Whittlesey Business Forum - Whittlesey Town Council - Wisbech Town Council

Code of Practice

The 'Streetsafe Fenland' Code of Practice is a document prepared by Fenland District Council. It sets out the purpose of the CCTV system and the principles under which it is operated.

If you have any queries about the information provided above, or require further information, please contact Customer Services on 01354 654321 or e-mail engineers@fenland.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can visit any of our One-Stop-Shops located within the Town Centres of Chatteris, March, Whittlesey or Wisbech.

For further information on all other Engineering Services matters, including Car Parks and Markets, please click here.