Calls have been made for a better balance of CCTV coverage in Newark and Sherwood

A COUNCILLOR has argued for a review of where CCTV cameras are installed in Newark and Sherwood.

At a meeting of the Newark and Sherwood District Council’s policy and finance committee, Mr David Staples, who represents Boughton, pointed out that an overwhelming concentration of cameras were in Newark.

A report asked for consent to set up a capital replacement programme for the council’s CCTV.

Of the fixed cameras, 57 are in Newark, seven are in Southwell, six are in Clipstone and four are in Ollerton.

There are also redeployable cameras that can be fitted to existing stanchions in areas where issues may arise sporadically.

Mr Staples said the likes of Balderton, Edwinstowe and Rainworth had none.

“I don’t know how we allowed one such concentration (in Newark),” he said.

He added that it was right that Newark had more cameras than anywhere else as it was the main population centre and had the busiest night-time economy.

However, he said the number was over the top and asked for the imbalance to be addressed.

Committee chairman David Lloyd said the police directed where the cameras should be based upon crime statistics.

Vice-chairman Keith Girling said: “It is evidence-based. We can’t just put cameras anywhere we like. There has got to be a reason for them to be there.”

Balderton member Johno Lee said redeployable cameras at Balderton Lake and the Coronation Street Playing Fields had a dramatic effect on reducing anti-social behaviour.

A report to committee said: “Our existing CCTV network of public space cameras is ageing, with the original system dating back to 1999.

“Many of the original cameras are still in situ having never been replaced and as some of them approach their 20th birthday, the likelihood of repairs being required increases. It is generally considered good practice to replace a camera every seven years.”

It asked for £63,820 to replace 19 fixed and three redeployable cameras to be replaced in year one, £53,480 for 24 fixed cameras in year two, £52,780 for 23 fixed cameras in year three and then a gap to 2024-25 when eight fixed cameras will need replacing at a cost of £20,070 with £8,780 needed for a redeployable camera in 2025-26.

The expenditure was agreed.