Derbyshire Dales council to spend more on CCTV

Derbyshire Dales District Council spent £100,000 last September to install new CCTV cameras in Matlock Bath, Matlock, Bakewell, Ashbourne and Wirksworth. These replaced old cameras, some dating back to 2007.

Now the authority is looking to spend another £9,450 a year to increase the number of days its CCTV manager works a week, from two to three.

This comes after the new cameras enabled thousands of pounds to be recouped in insurance and legal claims.

Examples include £1,000 for damage caused when a bollard was removed in Wirksworth, and £6,500 worth of damages caused to a “Big Belly Bin” in Ashbourne.

Council officers say “this money would have previously not have been claimed back by the council”.

They also state that the CCTV manager saves £1,000 a year for the authority by carrying out half-yearly cleaning and maintenance.

Between September 2017 and April this year, 63 requests for footage were made to the council: 49 from police, ten from council officers, three from others such as insurance companies and one from a member of the public. Between April to June, a further ten requests for footage have been made.

Council officers said: “CCTV contributes to the district council’s aims for a clean, safe and thriving environment, district and community by keeping public places safe, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The CCTV manager has developed the system and service within the town centres. In addition to this, the post-holder has been able to provide support across departments, offering a financial saving; generated revenue and saved both time and money for partner agencies.”