Cannock set to get 26 new CCTV cameras
State-of-the-art CCTV cameras are set to replace 20-year-old devices across Cannock.
Council chiefs say 26 cameras need to be replaced because some of the older ones are producing poor quality images.
The cameras, which date back to 1998, are too expensive for the council to maintain and now cabinet members are being asked to give the go-ahead to spend £55,000 on the new CCTV.
A Staffordshire Police chief says CCTV is valuable to the force, helping with the quick identification of criminals.
Since January, the force has made around 400 requests to view CCTV for evidence since the camera control room was installed at the Civic Centre in Cannock.
In a report to Cannock Chase District Council’s cabinet meeting tomorrow, officers say the cost of maintaining the old cameras is too high.
The council’s budget to maintain the district’s 91 cameras was £16,149 from 2016 to 2018 – but it overspent by £26,727, while from 2018 to 2019 it is estimated there will be an overspend of £15,435.
Instead, they recommend the council invests in replacing the cameras.
“Some units have failed and been repaired on a number of occasions,” the report to members says.
“Due to the age of the equipment, the cameras can’t be covered under any maintenance contracts thus making any repairs that are carried out expensive.
"The CCTV Maintenance Budget has been significantly overspent.
“Staffordshire Police request approximately 30 reviews of footage per month. The council also receives approximately two requests for evidence per month from insurance firms regarding road traffic collisions.
“The council faces a decision to maintain existing cameras in an uneconomical manner, be aware of potential repair costs or to invest in the replacement of cameras.”
Councillors are recommended to give the green light for £55,000 to be spent towards replacing the 26 cameras.
Chief Inspector of Staffordshire Police, Sarah Wainwright, said: “The financial costs of a good quality, well managed CCTV system are far outweighed by the benefit to the communities in which they are located.”
If approved, work is expected to be completed by spring next year.
