Agenda item

Report of the Director of Property Management.

The DMC Chairs requested an update on the programme and how estates without CCTV would be considered for addition to the network.

Russell Taylor (CCTV Control Room Operations Manager) introduced and summarised the report which updated residents on the renewal of the CCTV network on estates.

The Chair thanked the officer for the update and invited questions and comments from residents. The following was discussed:

·       The Chair asked if there was a list of estates due to receive CCTV, expressing concern that many requests had been made but not prioritised. Officers confirmed that there were lists, but several factors must be considered before proceeding with installation, including the justification for CCTV, whether it was proportionate to the issue, available power sources, and whether it addressed issues like antisocial behaviour and crime. Officers emphasised that CCTV was not the only solution, and alternative, less intrusive methods were also considered. If DMCs wanted more involvement, local officers were able to engage earlier in the process.

·       The Chair inquired about the process for estates that currently did not have CCTV, and highlighted that Camden security patrols did not occur frequently enough. They asked how security was managed for estates without CCTV. Officers responded that patrols and incidents were recorded and analysed through an intelligence hub, using data from police reports and public calls to inform decisions on patrols. They noted in their role they were not able to personally address why patrols might not be as frequent as required.

·       The Chair expressed frustration regarding ongoing issues of drug problems, violent incidents, and residents not feeling safe, particularly in areas that had seen serious crimes. They raised concerns about the lack of CCTV, despite the presence of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras which they felt were prioritised over local safety needs. Officers acknowledged these concerns and suggested working with Community Safety Officers to develop a proposal for increased CCTV coverage. The officer clarified that decisions on CCTV installations involved more than just responsive teams and were also informed by police reports and crime intelligence.

·       In response to residents, officers agreed to provide information of which estates are on the CCTV installations waiting list, to include information on how those estates can develop their case to the Council for installations if there are any obstacles to their application.

          ACTION BY: CCTV Control Room Operations Manager

·       A resident asked how long it typically took to process a request for CCTV installation. In response, officers explained that the timeline depended on whether it was for an individual camera or for a whole estate. For individual cameras, the process would be quicker, but there were challenges with power sources and where cameras could be mounted. For a full estate system, more contractors would be involved, and the process would take longer. It was estimated that the whole process could take around two months, depending on the evidence and information supplied.

·       A resident raised concerns about antisocial behaviour and the lack of communication between departments. They asked whether the number of antisocial incidents that had been escalated into formal complaints or perceived non-action had been tracked. The officer responded that while specific numbers were not available, cases were handled through normal complaints channels and were processed accordingly.

·       A resident asked where the CCTV operations would be based once the Holmes Road site was sold to developers. Officers responded that discussions had started regarding the location of the new CCTV suite but a new location had not yet been confirmed.

·       In response to residents, officers confirmed that residents personal cameras could face outward to the street as long as they did not infringe on other residents property and privacy.

·       The Chair asked about the cost of the CCTV programme. Officers responded that they were unsure of the exact cost but noted that the ongoing costs were part of the residents' fees and the charges would not begin until one year after the cameras were active. The Chair pointed out that some cameras were not working or active.