CCTV won't be monitored in Swindon as part of cost cutting

CCTV cameras across the Swindon borough will not be monitored in real-time as part of cost cutting measures in next year’s council budget

Streetlights will also be dimmed across areas of Swindon to save money. And they might, in some parts even be turned off. But under the plans CCTV footage would be made available to police, if they needed it.

It's all part of the council budget for the next year, in which one item says the council will cease the monitoring of CCTV feeds in real time to save an estimated £195,000.

Officers will make an assessment where streetlights can be dimmed or turned off at night to save £600,000.

There was concern from Labour councillors about the decision, as the cabinet member for Waste Collection and Disposal, and Highways Maintenance, Kevin Parry said the footage would still be available for police if any crime had been reported to them.

But that, said Labour councillor Marina Strinkovsky, could leave some people vulnerable: “There’s a difference between crime detection, and crime prevention. Without anyone watching live, the CCTV will only be useful if a crime takes place, and if it is reported, and if the police are inclined to look at the CCTV and if it captures anything.

“The people who are often victimised by the sort of crimes CCTV can prevent often say they feel safer if they know that someone is watching and can summon the police if something happens.”

The draft budget will go before councillors next week.