New CCTV coverage for trouble hot spots

THE possibility of installing a new CCTV system covering the town is being explored by Melksham Town Council.

The town centre and King George V playing field have been identified as possible areas that could benefit from CCTV support.

And Melksham Without Parish Council, who have been invited to join the project, have suggested that the picnic area, managed by the Bowerhill Residents Action Group (BRAG), next to the canal, and the Hornchurch Road play area, could also benefit from CCTV. Both areas have experience vandalism in recent months.

The new system would replace the town’s current CCTV scheme, which was  reported in February last year as being in desperate need of investment to improve its coverage and “inadequate” storage system.

A meeting of the CCTV working group, led by the town council, resolved last month that before the project moves forward, it needs to consult with local police to establish first if there is a need for CCTV.

If police can generate the “evidential need” for CCTV, the working party has proposed the procurement of an external “expert service” to review existing equipment; and to create a specification for a CCTV system for the town and wider area, with an estimate of likely costs.

A provision of £10,000 has been allocated in the  town council’s 2021/22 budget, which is yet to be approved, to help move forward the CCTV project.

It is thought that the whole CCTV scheme could cost between £50,000 to £100,000, which will be paid for through external funding and grants.

The community will be invited and encouraged to join the CCTV working group. “It is important to involve the community in discussions,” said cllr Adrienne Westbrook discussing the report from the CCTV working group at a town council asset management meeting last month.

At the meeting, leader of the town council, cllr Vanessa Fiorelli stressed that whilst they need to find evidence that CCTV is needed, the safety of local residents is “paramount” and that she hopes Melksham Without Parish Council will join the scheme.

“If we’re going to do it, we may as well do it together in one shot,” said cllr Fiorelli, “get it all done, rather than think about it one or two years down the line and try and add more on.”

Melksham Without Parish Council discussed the CCTV working group  at a meeting last month – it was reported by vice chair of the parish council, cllr John Glover, who attended the meeting, that it was a “useful discussion”.

Melksham Without Parish Council will discuss their future involvement in the scheme and other possible sites in the parish for CCTV at their asset management meeting in February.