South Holland District Council has entered into partnership working with Boston Borough Council to gain improved CCTV monitoring.
The current CCTV scheme, which operates in Spalding, Holbeach, Crowland, Long Sutton and Sutton Bridge and is monitored by dedicated volunteers, has been successful but is in need of improvement.
A deal has been agreed to transfer the operation of the South Holland service to Boston Borough Council.
Cllr Nick Worth, South Holland District Council’s portfolio holder for community, said: “”We are happy to be working with Boston Borough Council to provide a fully monitored CCTV service for South Holland.
“We work closely with our partners through the community safety partnership on a number of community safety initiatives and are pleased that this will result in an improved CCTV service for South Holland residents.”
The control room at Boston has recently benefited from significant investment and has fully trained and experienced staff. This will enable South Holland’s cameras to be monitored more often and their performance will be improved.
Upgrading the South Holland system is expected to cost a maximum of £104,000. These capital funds have already been secured, including grants from the Police and Crime Commissioner (£56,000) and Lincolnshire County Council (£18,000). Monitoring costs for the current number of cameras will be a maximum of £32,000 per year. The final number of cameras and level of monitoring – 24/7 or 18/7 – will determine the final revenue cost.
Cllr Stephen Woodliffe, Boston Borough Council’s portfolio holder for community safety, said: “I am pleased that Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council are working closely together to extend Boston’s state-of-the-art CCTV system to cover Spalding and surrounding areas.
“This developing partnership will share expertise, improve the quality of service and provide excellent value for the citizens of South Holland and Boston.”
The two district councils are in the same police division and already work together through local community safety partnerships.
Spalding Police community inspector Jim Tyner: “I have long been a supporter of CCTV and welcome the upgrading of our current system.
“Working together with South Holland District Council, this means we can tackle many of the issues that matter most to people such as street drinking, shoplifting and night-time alcohol-related violence.”
The CCTV monitoring partnership is expected to begin within the next few months.
Image: Cllr Nick Worth, South Holland District Council’s portfolio holder for Community, has welcomed the CCTV partnership with Boston Borough Council
