Town councils launch pioneering CCTV partnership

Three Cornwall town councils have launched an initiative that will see their CCTV cameras monitored from one control centre.

The partnership will allow up to 40 cameras across St Ives, Penzance and Hayle to be managed from a single hub in St Ives.

The councils have worked with local security contractor Infinitus to create the scheme after being faced with the closure of Cornwall Tolvaddon control centre.

Kim Phillips, director of Infinitus, said the partnership would "help improve the safety and comfort of people who live, work and visit the area".

Mayor of Penzance, councillor Stephen Reynolds said the initiative was an example of how town councils "can work in partnership to find local solutions".

He said: "I'm confident that this improved, locally-controlled CCTV monitoring, combined with increased funding from Penzance Council and Penzance BID in street marshals and anti-social behaviour support, will help make our streets safer for everyone."

Under a three-year contract Infinitus will monitor the cameras, which can also be viewed by the police, and manage requests for data to be viewed.

Insp Dee Evans, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said it was great to see CCTV monitoring controlled locally.

She added: "This will be advantageous to my officers who utilise CCTV frequently as part of their investigations.

"It will also allow for officers to build up better local connections with our partnership colleagues, which in turn will lead to an increase in public safety and better outcomes for victims.''

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