Towns get ‘limited’ CCTV coverage

CCTV CAMERAS in three South Yorkshire town centres are only actively monitored for a third of the time, it has emerged.

Details of the restrictions on CCTV systems covering Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster town centres have been revealed in a report which also raises concerns about the Barnsley system, as the council seeks to invest £700,000 in providing new high-definition cameras.

The cameras covering the three town centres are only partially-monitored because they all rely on the same control room staff to view them, the report said.

The authorities accept that some criminals regard CCTV as an “occupational hazard” and the revelation of limited coverage could dent the deterrent effect of the current arrangements.

However, using new technology could mean a better service for Barnsley with less human intervention needed.

Members of Barnsley Council’s ruling cabinet will decide next week on whether to press ahead with the new scheme, which would involve replacing 43 cameras in the town centre and another six covering the former mining village of Grimethorpe.

Councillors have been told the cameras are monitored at no charge by South Yorkshire Police.

But the report said: “South Yorkshire Police monitor the CCTV system, free of charge within their control room which is based in Doncaster Council’s Civic Building.

“It is monitored alongside Rotherham Council’s and Doncaster Council’s CCTV, therefore only a third of the time is spent monitoring Barnsley’s cameras.”