Green light for extra security

3:41pm Tuesday 6th November 2007

APPROVAL has been given for additional town centre security equipment which will allow people to alert CCTV control centre staff to potential crimes and let criminals and troublemakers know they are being watched.

The council has given the go-ahead to three public announcement systems which will be attached to existing CCTV camera poles opposite the post office, at the corner of Church Green West and Church Road, and on Unicorn Hill, opposite Bates Hill, and a free-standing "help point" near Three Cooks Bakery.

An original proposal to provide an audio facility on five or six cameras in the town centre had to be abandoned as the bids which came in proved much higher than an initial estimate.

Councillor Bill Hartnett, Redditch Council's portfolio holder for community safety, who spearheaded the proposal for the additional security equipment, said: "When control centre staff spot people getting up to no good through the CCTV monitors, the public announcement systems will allow them to let the wrong-doers know they're being watched - this will be a great deterrent to them and others.

"And having the help point near the Kingfisher Centre will allow members of the public concerned or frightened about something going on to alert the CCTV control centre immediately. The surrounding TV cameras can then be rotated to point at what's going on - I think this will provide peace of mind for people, especially during the evening."

Although the new security was welcomed, Conservative councillors were upset that what has now been agreed is less than initially proposed.

Councillor Carole Gandy said: "We welcome additional town centre security but what has been agreed is a lot less than originally proposed - but at the same cost of £25,000. Only three cameras will have the public announcement systems and there's just one help point. We don't feel this is enough to protect the town centre."

The Community Safety Partnership has agreed to pay £10,000 towards the total cost.