Introduction of CCTV saw crime figures plummet
CRIME figures were tumbling in Burton in November 1996 – with the town’s new CCTV cameras credited as the reason.
The success of the cameras meant a further expansion of the scheme, which first started in 1995, was a distinct possibility.
Crime prevention officer Chris Inman said: “Every single month since their launch there has been a fall in crime compared to the same month a year before.
“The first full month the CCTV was in operation was October 1995, and there was an immediate decrease compared to crime figures in October 1994.
“Some months the fall has been as much as 75 per cent, and it is never less than 40 per cent. We did expect some shifting of crime to areas not covered by CCTV.
“Before, the majority of incidents took place in car parks and there has been a massive reduction there. But the really surprising thing is that car thefts and break-ins haven‘t really increased in the areas without cameras.”
The main reason for installing the cameras was crime prevention, but PC Inman said CCTV was fast becoming a successful tool in detective work too.
He said: The cameras are constantly monitored and operators regularly give us information about suspicious activity, particularly to do with car crime and general disturbances.”
Following the success of the Burton CCTV scheme, an eightcamera system was planned for Uttoxeter to start in the spring of 1997.
Ken Birch, the director of finance for East Staffordshire, pointed out that each camera cost a minimum of £5,000, but said that following its early success they would be discussing whether it was worth extending into broader areas around Burton.
He said: “We don’t have the money for this financial year which ends in April, but it will be seriously looked at when we put the next budget together.”