Agenda item

The Task Group will have had a tour of the new CCTV control room at the Police Station. Members to discuss any conclusions and learning points.

The Chair said that the visit was very interesting and the number of CCTV cameras in the town was impressive.  She explained that a business case had been made for CCTV for the past 10 to 12 years and each camera was evaluated as to need and usefulness every year.  She added that people may request new cameras, and that demand for these had increased every year – although not every request was accepted.  Furthermore, usage of the cameras was also on the rise demonstrating the value of the control room.  She concluded by saying that the police requested assistance with CCTV on criminal investigations as did insurance companies and victims (using freedom of information requests).

In response to a question from Councillor Aron about funding for heat sensoring devices, Inspector Lillitou confirmed that the equipment was used to help discover evidence of cannabis factories.  He said that where necessary he could seek partnership funding for the purchase of the equipment.  Councillor Williams asked how the devices worked in this context. Inspector Lillitou explained that when pointed towards an object they gave a reading showing any increase in temperature indicating the possible existence of a cannabis factory (where temperatures tended to be higher for cultivation purposes).  This information could then be used with other intelligence as part of the search warrant application process.

The Chair asked whether the Task Group could help the police with funding around the purchase of CCTV – perhaps through the Town Centre Partnership.

Inspector Lillitou explained that he had been looking in to the purchase of portable cameras and this had been discussed at the Joint Agency Group; as the equipment had been used elsewhere in Hertfordshire.  He explained how the portable cameras operated and said that he was monitoring developments in technology, so as to ensure equipment was purchased at the most appropriate time.  Again, he could seek partnership funding where necessary.

Councillor Mills asked whether signs indicating CCTV was in operation could help resolve problems in localities.  Inspector Lillitou confirmed that these could act as a deterrent and were useful in the town centre - but would not be suitable for covert operations.  He further explained that he was looking at systems where images could be transmitted directly in to the police station. 

In response to a further question from Councillor Mills, Inspector Lillitou said he would be more than happy for Members to approach him direct if they considered portable CCTV would help deal with a problem in their area.  The Chair asked that Inspector Lillitou’s details be circulated to all council Members, together with the briefing paper provided to the Group by the Transport and Projects Officer in advance of the visit to the CCTV Control Room.

ACTION – Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer

The Chair asked whether there was a protocol for the use of portable cameras.  Inspector Lillitou explained that prior to deployment of CCTV equipment, various processes had to be completed to ensure compliance with legislation around privacy, interference of rights and RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act); and therefore each case would need to be individually assessed as opposed to having a generic protocol.

Councillor Williams asked whether it would be appropriate for a traders group, for example, to approach Members seeking the use of CCTV to deal with parking on double yellow lines.  Inspector Lillitou explained that in these circumstances the use of CCTV would probably be disproportionate and that in any event personnel could be deployed to address the problem on the ground. 

The Chair asked how partnership working could be utilised to help in the development of more effective CCTV.  Councillor Aron gave an example discussed by the Transport and Projects Officer during the CCTV Control Room visit. This related to him working with the hospital in her ward to help link cameras in Tolpits Lane so they would all be under one umbrella and be more effective to monitor as a result.