The Council's pilot CCTV system which became operational in Fleet Town Centre on 6 December has proved to be a resounding success in more ways than one.

Reducing Crime

The 14 cameras in the town centre have already made a difference to such an extent that a police Intelligence Officer was recently heard to say "Crime disappeared from the town centre the day the cameras were turned on."

Statistics for the first three months show that overall, crime in the town centre in fact reduced by 40%, but more importantly the last couple of months show a reduction nearer to 70%. Of those incidents that do continue, there is at least one conviction for a criminal offence per week due solely to CCTV.

Some typical examples of incidents the control room staff at the Civic Offices have been involved in have been successful prosecutions for criminal damage to cars, drug dealing, breaking shop windows and driving under the influence of alcohol. "High spirited" young people have been discouraged from causing a nuisance by the presence of cameras.

Home Office Approval for Expansion

The £250,000 Fleet system was installed with the help of a Home Office grant of £96,500. In March this year the Council heard that the Home Office had taken the unusual step of making a further grant of £135,000 (the maximum available) towards the £330,000 cost of extending the scheme to the shopping centres of Blackwater, Yately, Hartley Wintney and Hook.

It is anticipated that this phase will be completed in the early Autumn with the installation of three cameras at Blackwater, five at Yately and four each at Hartley Wintney and Hook. Like the Fleet system these cameras will be monitored from the Civic Offices control room 24 hours a day for 365 days a year by professionally trained staff working closely with the local police.

Spare Capacity

The Council is looking to make the most of its investment in this state of the art technology by offering, at a modest fee, an installation and monitoring service to Parish and Town Councils, local business parks and schools. Hook Parish Council is actively pursuing cameras at Ravenscroft Community Centre and Elizabeth Hall and Blackwater and Hawley is considering the Hawley Leisure Centre and Memorial Hall.

Anyone interested in this service should contact either Helen Hudson (Security Manager) or Peter Fry (Director of Operations) on 01252 774455.