New CCTV could reduce town centre crime and anti-social behaviour, says local police

MELKSHAM police have  recommended that a  new CCTV system, monitored part-time by volunteers, could help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

In a report to the town council’s CCTV working group – which is considering the replacement of the town’s current CCTV scheme – sgt James Twyford, from the Melksham Community Policing Team, has highlighted a number of “hot spots” in the town centre that could benefit from increased surveillance.

The King George V playing field, the skate park, Bath Road, Bank Street, Lowbourne, Church Street and Church Walk with the associating car park, High Street and Stratton’s Walk, the Market Place and Melksham House, King Street and King Street car park, are all areas listed in the report that are “plagued” by two “distinctly different types of incident.”

“The first is youth-related anti-social behaviour,” explains sgt Twyford in the report, “which predominantly afflicts the playing field and skate park. 

“The second is broader and encompasses violence, damage and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour across the other areas. There is overlap between the two.”

Over a 24-month period, covering 2019 and 2020, sgt Twyford reports that the levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre have remained “roughly stable” at around 2,600 incidents per year.

But according to sgt Twyford’s report, 65% of reported crime is closed due to “evidential difficulties” such as limited CCTV coverage, poor quality witness evidence, and witnesses who are unwilling to give evidence. 

Sgt Twyford said, “Melksham has a Pubwatch Scheme and a majority of the town’s pubs are active members. CCTV is fitted in almost all pubs and is currently used to good effect in the detection of crime within individual establishments. 

“There are however issues when incidents occur outside; often out of the reach of CCTV, in alleyways or by late night food establishments.

“Issues relating to licensed premises account for around 20% of the total reporting, leaving 80% of incidents to chance as to whether they will be captured on CCTV or not, whether in part of in full.

“Issues within the town park generally suffer with poor quality witness evidence. There is poor ambient lighting other than within the skate park and no natural surveillance from neighbours for the area.

“Incidents are most often between teenagers and there is often evidence of alcohol and drug use left behind. If there are witnesses to incidents, they are often unwilling to assist investigations due to mixed loyalties or concern for reprisals.”

Making his recommendation about a new CCTV system, sgt Twyford said, “Considering the large cost of staffing a full-time system and the relatively small size of the town; the recommendation would be for a volunteer-led part time monitored system to be implemented.

“The recommendation would also be to allow police officers and staff to be able to access live and recorded footage 24/7. Night-vision in poorly lit areas would be advantageous; or improving ambient lighting where required.”

At a town council meeting this month, councillors accepted sgt Twyford’s report as proof that there is a need for CCTV in the town centre.

Councillors agreed to move the CCTV project to “stage two”, which will involve reviewing existing CCTV equipment to help create a specification for a system for the town and wider area, with an estimate of likely costs.

Melksham Without Parish Council is also in discussions to be involved in the project – the picnic area, managed by the Bowerhill Residents Action Group (BRAG), next to the canal, and the Hornchurch Road play area, have also been identified as areas that could benefit from CCTV.