Security cameras considered

0:00am Fri Nov 13, 2009

Options for installing more security cameras at Balderton are being considered.

Mr Ian Harrison, Newark and Sherwood District Council’s strategic manager for risk and resilience, explained the options to the parish council.

A camera is already in place at the Grove Leisure Centre.

Mr Harrison said the council was looking at prices for connecting three other cameras — near the former Turk’s Head pub, on Main Street and on Bullpit Road (opposite Brisbane Court) — to the camera at the leisure centre through a broadband connection.

He said that camera could then send the images to the district council offices at Kelham Hall.

Mr Harrison said: “In nine months we will hopefully be able to give you a realistic price. We will have no prices on that option until the technology is in place. We also want to see if there is any funding available.”

He said a fibre optic option would cost about £43,000 to install and £8,000 a year for use of the phone lines.

A wireless system would be about £30,000 without annual costs because the district council would own the wireless link.

Mr Harrison said: “We are concerned that a community can only gain from the benefits of CCTV if we make it affordable. We will continue to push for cheaper, better ways of doing it.”

Mr Neil Allen said: “If the cameras are permanently sited, are they not going to move the problem on?”

Mr Harrison said the positions were chosen through consultation with police and, although some people felt it would displace problems, incidents would still occur.

Mr Walter Hurst said: “We have not got to be paranoid about this. We do not need to look at every square inch of Balderton.”

Mr Harrison said the police mobile CCTV unit could still be requested.

“In the present environment, CCTV cameras are an essential tool for the police to use,” he said.

Parish councillors will visit the camera control room at Kelham Hall.