A report presented to cabinet following an external review highlighted the need to update the current control room and CCTV cameras located across the borough to avoid risk of service failure.

At present, the local authority is responsible for operating more than 100 security cameras installed at various locations including the borough’s two town centres, St Helens and Earlestown, which play a vital part in preventing crime and disorder and assisting in the identification of offenders.

With major regeneration earmarked for both town centres, the council will invest in the region of £700,000 as part of its Medium-Term Financial Strategy for a new CCTV suite and modern camera technology over two phases to continue delivering a high-quality level of protection to residents, businesses and visitors to the borough.

Phase one will be focused on the procurement of the new CCTV suite, with phase two providing the upgrade of cameras.

Welcoming the report, Councillor Mancyia Uddin, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said:   

“CCTV is a core component of the community safety infrastructure in our borough, acting as a reassurance for local communities and reducing the fear of crime through ongoing monitoring and response to criminal activities.  

“Judging by the response from our Community Safety Survey last year, the majority of residents remain in favour of this provision, with 70 percent of respondents agreeing that CCTV reduces crime, 87 percent agreeing that it should be used to reduce, deter, and detect crime and 73 percent agreed that CCTV makes them feel safer.  

“As a council, along with our community safety partners, we have a duty to protect residents and visitors to our borough and so this investment will have a positive benefit in reassurance for local communities and reducing the fear of crime as we look to create a safer St Helens for all.”