Melton Mowbray will benefit from a CCTV upgrade it was confirmed last night.
Melton Borough Council approved plans to invest in and upgrade the CCTV system within the town centre and known hot spots in Melton Mowbray, at their Full Council meeting yesterday evening.
The new system will enable the council and partners to tackle and prevent crime more effectively through improved technology and increased monitoring and surveillance.
The upgrades will cost £60,000, with the Council investing £45,000 alongside a £15,000 contribution from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner through the Melton Safer Partnership Fund.
The improved and modernised CCTV system will be installed, replacing the current outdated technology with 10 new high-tech, digital quality CCTV cameras linking to a well-established, 24/7 monitoring hub at Harborough District Council.
Harborough District Council will monitor the cameras on behalf of Melton Borough Council as part of collaborative arrangement, which will significantly enhance the council’s monitoring capability.
The new system is scheduled to be installed in early 2023.
Cllr Malise Graham, Portfolio Holder for People and Communities, said: “It’s important that we stay up to date with technology to ensure we remain effective at detecting and preventing crime within Melton.
Melton Borough Council has confirmed a much needed investment to the town's CCTV system. Photo: NEMM
“Our current system is over 26 years old and this upgrade is much needed. The 10 new cameras will be used in conjunction with the 4 Wireless CCTV cameras that were funded through the Safer Streets 3 scheme in March this year, giving us 14 new high-tech cameras at our disposal.
“The Safer Communities team will work closely with our partners at Leicestershire Police, Harborough District Council and the Safer Melton Partnership, using the improved system to help us tackle anti-social behaviour and to ensure Melton remains a safe place to live, work and visit. ”
Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland who has helped fund the upgrades through the Melton Safer Partnership Fund said:" These new cameras will be a very welcome addition to Melton Borough. Preventing crime, maximising the ability of the police to identify criminals and helping people feel safer is what this is all about for me, and I am proud that my office and I could play our part.
“I want to thank Melton Borough Council, Safer Melton Partnership and everyone involved for their cooperation. It shows we can act effectively, quickly and best when working together. Strong partnerships and targeted projects such as these CCTV cameras will do a lot of good for the people of Melton.”
Melton's CCTV was manned by volunteers at Melton Police station before the Covid 19 pandemic.
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