Plymouth is taking measures to make its streets feel safer
Plans for new CCTV cameras, improved lighting and 'help points' are in the pipeline
Plymouth is getting new CCTV cameras, improved street lighting and 'help points' in a bid to make people, especially women and girls, feel safer.
A decision has been signed this week which will allow officers to order equipment ready for work to start onsite early in the New Year.
It will see five new CCTV cameras installed at the following locations:
- Subway on North Hill
- Athenaeum Street
- Sawrey Street, Millbay
- Union Street outside Lidl
- New Street, the Barbican
They will be monitored by the city’s dedicated CCTV control room which has 24 hour cover with remote access in place for emergency services, Plymouth against Retail Crime, Traffic Monitoring and Public Protection teams.
The cameras can also provide extra lighting in the event of an incident. These new cameras are in addition to the 354 already in place around the city.
A dozen help points are to be installed at the following locations:
- Southside Street junction Friary’s Lane and another outside the Crown & Anchor pub
- West Hoe Park
- Old Town Street
- Armada Way – Sundial
- Royal Parade - Centre Pedestrian Crossing
- Union Street – Octagon and outside Lidl
- Mutley Plain
- North Hill
- Mayflower Street
- King Street
- High Street
The locations were selected as these are high footfall areas with shops and or local schools nearby.
The well-lit help points will be installed near new and existing CCTV installations offering increased surveillance.
Anyone who uses them is automatically connected to the CCTV control room.
The cameras nearby can also move to pick up the help points and staff in the control room can monitor a situation while an appropriate emergency response is on its way.
In addition over 50 street lighting improvements will be carried out.
These will be mainly in areas of higher footfall where there is both a perceived fear as well as statistically higher crime rates.
These will mainly be in the areas where people are out drinking and clubbing in the city centre, along the waterfront, North Hill and Mutley.
This scheme is externally funded by the Home Office and was secured via a partnership bid with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Council, NSPCC, Eddystone Trust, University of Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall Community Watch Association, Street Pastors.