Humberside force appeals for volunteers to watch CCTV

A POLICE force has appealed for volunteers to watch CCTV footage in a bid to help direct officers to crime hotspots.

Humberside Police, which has faced spending cuts, said volunteers were being sought to watch the cameras at peak times.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed crime in the area was up nine per cent last year when compared with the previous 12 months. Nearly 75,000 crimes were recorded, while sexual offences were up 30 per cent in the same period.

Inspector Mark Coulthard said volunteers would help watch the cameras overnight at Beverley Police Station in East Yorkshire.

“The cameras are generally monitored on a screen in the front office at the police station,” he said. “We would like volunteers willing to come in and staff it for Friday and Saturday nights and other specific events, such as Ladies’ Day [at a nearby racecourse].

“We do occasionally have flash points and it would be really useful to zoom in on what is happening in the town centre.”

Insp Coulthard said the move coincided with proposals to upgrade CCTV cameras, with a switch to higher definition and improved zoom.

Jackie Heffer, the chairman of Beverley and District Neighbourhood Watch Group, is planning to volunteer.

She said: “The police have got budget cuts and if they have not got the manpower we should be able to help.

“What’s the point in having cameras if they’re not manned? If people know the CCTV cameras are manned, with people watching what is happening, it provides reassurance.”

Volunteers would need to be trained and vetted, including getting an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance, before being able to watch the footage.