Witney CCTV

BACKGROUND

The Witney CCTV system was implemented in December 2001 by a multi-agency partnership between West Oxfordshire District Council, Thames Valley Police, Witney Town Council and Witney Chamber of Trade and Commerce. The scheme supports the West Oxfordshire Community Safety Strategy 2002-05.

The following organisations support the CCTV Partnership in West Oxfordshire:

MSC Security Consultancy - Providing technical advice and CCTV project management.

Petards Vision - Acknowledged innovators in the design, manufacture and supply of advanced security and surveillance solutions. Providing Redeployable CCTV equipment to West Oxfordshire CDRP.

Quadrant Video Systems plc- Responsible for the installation and maintenance of the Witney Town Centre CCTV Scheme.

AIMS

The aims of the scheme are as follows:

To help reduce the fear of crime
To help prevent crime
To help detect crime and provide evidential material for court proceedings.
To enhance community safety, boost the economy and encourage greater use of the town centre/shopping centre etc
To assist in supporting civil proceedings.

THE SYSTEM

The system is made up of 24 analogue cameras positioned in car parks, shopping centres and at strategic locations around the town. Eighteen cameras offer pan tilt and zoom capability and 6 are fixed position cameras.

All cameras record in colour and can function during the hours of darkness. They have been selected to blend in with the environment and town centre architecture.

Cameras are at the following locations:

High Street (4)
Woolgate Car park (4)
Market Square (2)
Langdale Court - Langdale Hall
Langel Common
Corn Street (3)
Woolgate Centre (6)
Welch Way Car park
Roundabout at junction with Corn Street and Welch Way
Welch Way

THE MONITORING CENTRE

The monitoring centre is located at the Police Station in Welch Way. It is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by 5 operators. The system is operated under a strict code of practice and within the Human Rights and Data Protection Acts. The Centre is in direct contact with the Police Control room and police officers dealing with incidents in the town centre.Members of the town's business radio link will also be in contact with the control centre through their own radio system. The police control room may ask operators to routinely monitor parts of the town. An example may be when an incident takes place such as an alarm sounding and prior to the police arriving.

FUNDING

The system is funded from the following sources:

West Oxfordshire District Council
Thames Valley Police
Witney Town Council
Witney Chamber of Trade
Witney Town Centre Businesses

PERFORMANCE

The performance management of the system is monitored by a multi agency Management Group.

REDEPLOYABLE CCTV

The Council operates two redeployable, or mobile CCTV cameras to target hot spots throughout the district. The redeployable cameras also have a codes of practice.