Stirling Council to trial CCTV technology

Assault is denied

A trial of CCTV camera technology will take place across the Stirling Council area as part of the local authority’s overhaul of the current CCTV system.

According to the council, two wireless cameras will be located in a rural and urban area to test the equipment however officials refused to be drawn on the exact locations.

They say the trial will test for the best “connectivity, reliability and picture quality” and meets the council’s commitment to making its residents feel safe.

Two different kinds of camera technologies will be trialled over a 30-day period and their performance will be evaluated and presented to the council’s Public Safety Committee.

Convenor of Stirling Council’s Public Safety Committee, Councillor Martin Earl, said: “Making sure we have an effective, comprehensive and flexible CCTV system for the Stirling Council area is a complex and challenging project.

“I am very pleased that we are now in a position to test the range of digital equipment available. These pilots are vital to ensure we get the right equipment and achieve value for money. I look forward to hearing about the results of this testing phase.”

Broomridge Community Council has been campaigning for CCTV cameras at The Toll in St Ninians following reports of anti-social behaviour, drug use and violence.

Earlier this year it presented a petition signed by 428 residents to Stirling Council.

Diane Kane, chairwoman of the community council, welcomed the progress on the new CCTV system.

She said: “I’m delighted to hear that Stirling Council is making progress in providing a modern, effective, CCTV system.

“It’s long overdue. Broomridge Community Council has been campaigning for some time to have CCTV installed at St. Ninians Toll.

The presence of cameras won’t stop all crimes from being committed but they will deter many.”

The council plans to roll out a new ‘stateof-the-art digital system’ of CCTV by March next year.

It says it will introduce the technology using an “intelligence led approach” to pinpoint areas where cameras are required. A Dunblane man has denied carrying out an assault.

Matthew Ross- King, of Menteith View, is accused of assaulting Liam McAulay at Goosecroft Road in Stirling on November 16 2014.

The 20 year-old issued a not guilty plea at Stirling Sheriff Court yesterday (Tuesday), and the case was adjourned.

A further intermediate diet is set to take place at the court on July 7, with a trial scheduled for July 13.