South Kesteven District Council’s crime-fighting CCTV is in line for a digital upgrade that will produce clearer footage.
The £284,000 project will upgrade ageing CCTV technology and provide the opportunity for mobile coverage across more areas in the future.
The money is from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation to SKDC of £3,898,582. The grant is part of the Government’s “levelling up” process and must be spent according to agreed criteria.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for People and Safer Communities, Cllr Annie Mason, said: “There is a need to upgrade to a digital line and to change our existing CCTV cameras from analogue to digital.
“This will assist with improved and up-to-date CCTV, clearer imaging, better picture or video sharing, and will protect the system when equipment begins to become obsolete, and repairs or replacements cannot be obtained.
“The quality of images is far superior to analogue, and the new functionality could allow us to deploy mobile CCTV in the future.”
The CCTV network across South Kesteven is a non-statutory service that is not required by law, however the Council has a commitment to its operation for crime prevention and public safety.
“Our cameras, give residents peace of mind and help our various partners in law enforcement to reduce crime. We will continue to work in collaboration with the police and our communities in tackling crime,” said Cllr Mason.
Live and recorded images are already relayed to the Lincolnshire Police communications centre at Lincoln and to various police stations throughout South Kesteven for officers to assess incidents and ensure adequate resources are dispatched.
Last year, a dangerous driver was sentenced to 26 weeks, suspended for two years, and disqualified from driving for 18 months by Lincoln magistrates. This was after being spotted on camera driving people around in a folding chair strapped to the roof of his van.
The driver was seen to be accelerating and braking harshly with various passengers taking turns on the roof.
SKDC currently operates more than 70 cameras covering public open spaces in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and The Deepings, which are monitored 24/7.
The service is also the recipient of a five-year Certificate of Compliance under the national Code of Practice, to balance the need for cameras in public places with the right to privacy.
An additional benefit of the digital upgrade brings 30 free public wi-fi hubs aligned to existing CCTV camera locations across the four towns of Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping. They will provide a foundation for Smart Town technology and digital services with high quality broadband connectivity for businesses and visitors.
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