New CCTV cameras to improve community safety in North Somerset
The Council have been working with Avon and Somerset Police to install the new sites in Weston-super-Mare
Thousands of pounds is being invested in North Somerset in a bid to improve community safety.
The council, alongside Avon and Somerset Police, will be installing eight additional CCTV cameras in Weston-super-Mare, thanks to ÂŁ28,000 worth on investment - which has also funded upgrades to existing cameras and network equipment.
The local authority say locations for the extra cameras have been chosen based on factors, including local intelligence, and reports to StreetSafe about the locations in the town where people don't feel safe.
The additional cameras are being installed in five locations in and around Weston’s South Ward:
- Winterstoke Road – two cameras on the Lidl roundabout that connects Winterstoke Road to The Runway, Haywood Village
- St John’s Park – a camera providing coverage of the car park, footpaths and railway crossing
- Ullswater Close – a camera providing coverage of the park, play area and key local footpaths
- Junction of Selworthy Road and St Ives Road – two cameras covering a panoramic view to include key local footpaths
- Lonsdale Avenue – two cameras covering the For All Healthy Living Centre and surrounding roads and footpaths, providing improved coverage to existing cameras on Windwhistle Circle, Windwhistle Lane and Thirlmere Road
With the addition of these new cameras, there are now 425 cameras across the North Somerset CCTV network, which are monitored every day by a team of fully-trained operators.
They have a direct link with the police, as well as council enforcement officers, businesses and street wardens - and also deal with emergency out-of-hours calls to the council.
Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council's executive member for safety in the community and local ward member for Weston’s South Ward, said: “Our emergency control centre plays a vital part of the council’s proactive approach to cracking down on local crime and keeping North Somerset safe.
“I’d like to thank Avon & Somerset Police for their generous funding which enabled this project to happen. This investment will help to reduce offending, while also improving the feeling of safety through the use of CCTV.”
Councillor Ian Parker, North Somerset Council local ward member, said: “I’m very proud to represent the people of Weston’s South Ward, a vibrant and close-knit community. I’m delighted to see this investment in the area which will help residents to keep and feel safe, and improve the lives of those who live here. Well done and thank you to everyone involved.”
Inspector Graeme Hall, Avon and Somerset Police, said: “We were delighted to partner with North Somerset Council to support the installation of further CCTV cameras in targeted areas.
“The information we gather from calls from the public, along with data from StreetSafe, has played a key role in identifying where these should be located. I’d encourage people to continue to share any concerns they have about specific locations. This information enables us to build a picture of where and why people feel unsafe in certain areas so we can work with North Somerset, and other partners, on solutions like CCTV, better lighting or increased patrols.”
Since January 2023, the control centre has dealt with 5,312 incidents.
Of these, 769 were identified directly by the CCTV operator and 408 resulted in police arrest.
For more information about CCTV in North Somerset, including a map to show all the camera locations, click here.