Overhaul plan for Tayside’s CCTV system

THE CCTV system covering Tayside is set for a complete overhaul after being described as “no longer fit for purpose”.

The monitoring equipm e n t a t F o r f a r Po l i c e Station is so old that it still uses cathode ray tube monitors, although its recording equipment has been updated from VHS tapes.

There are 87 cameras in public spaces in Dundee, 51 operating i n Angus towns and 35 in the Perth and Kinross area.

Under plans drawn up in collaboration with l ocal c o u n c i l s a n d Po l i c e Scotland, the entire system would be replaced with monitoring centralised in Dundee.

The Tayside Procurement Consortium is in the process of “scoping t heir requirements” for a contract to supply, deliver, install and maintain the new system.

The replacement system would use the latest digital camera and interpretation software technology, which enables faster responses to situations such as missing persons.

An event for potential suppliers was held l ast month as the strategy and specification of the new system’s requirements are being developed. The current system was described as “outdated and no longer fit for purpose”.

It is also expected that the maintenance costs, which totalled more than £250,000 in the last four years in Dundee alone, will be reduced.

The budg et for the replacement system has not been specified, other than stating the figure will be in excess of £1 million.

Police Scotland said the CCTV system was t he responsibility of l ocal authorities.