Plans for new CCTV network to tackle antisocial behaviour

A new wave of CCTV cameras is being launched in Westminster as the City Council steps up its campaign against anti-social behaviour and crime blighting the lives of our residents.

The network of 100 cameras will be placed in priority areas for Westminster residents with the job of helping the police crackdown on anti-social behaviour and capturing evidence for prosecution in court.

Unveiled later this year, the new system will be the first time Westminster City Council has run its own public realm CCTV cameras since 2017 when the previous network was closed and one-off capital funding was given to the Metropolitan Police to acquire their own cameras.

While Police-run cameras will continue to monitor pan-London hot spot areas in the West End and Covent Garden, the new council system will concentrate on addressing problems that most affect local people. The new digital cameras can be moved to different locations to tackle different issues ranging from anti-social behaviour to fly tipping – a major advantage over fixed position CCTV cameras.

Funding for the camera network is expected to be approved in the Council’s March Budget with the first wave being installed in the early Summer.

Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council Leader, said:

“Anti-social behaviour and crime in our communities blights the lives of residents across Westminster and as a Council we want to do what we can to help tackle it.

“This proposed investment in a new local CCTV camera network will help keep an eye on ASB hotspots in local communities across the city, assist the police in identifying wrongdoers and provide the evidence to support work to design out crime.

“The safety of our residents is of utmost importance, and we want to play our part in helping keep our streets safer and to ensure that residents feel more secure in their own homes.”

Cllr Aicha Less, deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Protection said:

“The idea of the new camera network is to complement what the police and other partners do – they will run side by side with the already extensive coverage that exists in Westminster’s busiest areas.

“This new network is about helping our residents feel and become safer. The fact the new cameras can be deployed around the City gives us more flexibility than ever in the fight against anti-social behaviour.”