Nottingham police deploy mobile CCTV unit to combat crime. Residents voice concerns over effectiveness.
The van is equipped with cameras offering a panoramic view, capable of capturing distant faces. Staffed by officers, it features six cameras and a sizable mast. Police intend to deploy the van to areas identified by residents as problem spots, including Sherwood, Bulwell, and Forest Rec, starting from February 20.
The police control room can access the van’s footage, enabling swift communication of real-time incidents to officers. The project, primarily funded by a Home Office grant, incurred a cost of £130,000.
Lex Comber, a resident, believes the van reflects society’s current state. He questions the effectiveness of cameras without corresponding action and deems it a waste of resources, advocating for increased police presence on the streets.
Comber suggests that young individuals are undeterred by the prospect of being caught and questions the van’s deterrent effect. He expresses concern about the existing level of CCTV surveillance, noting Germany’s lower usage. While feeling secure, he believes CCTV does not substantially prevent crime.
Dominic Pote is more receptive to the van but calls for additional investments. Although he generally dislikes surveillance, he recognizes its necessity and hopes it can help address issues, while emphasizing the need for street officers. He says community makes him feel safer.
Pote says he’d rather invest elsewhere than use cameras.
He recounts instances of fights and shouting on his street, as well as the dumping of unidentified materials at his doorstep.
Rich Glover endorses the van, perceiving it as a tool for fighting crime, citing fly-tipping as an example. It enhances his sense of security, as others feel at ease with the van’s presence.
Inspector Paul Ferguson, the project lead, aims to instill a sense of safety in residents. He wants no resident to deal with bad behavior. He said police are committed to resolving issues which they face daily.
Ferguson emphasizes that the van leaves no place to hide, and it doesn’t replace officers as they would continue to patrol. It offers a comprehensive view of the area, enabling them to identify problems proactively. Trained officers will actively monitor the footage for offenders, determined to prevent bad behavior.