News / Police chief wants CCTV system updated
LERWICK could have a new and updated CCTV network in place within the next 12 months, according to Shetland’s police chief inspector.
Lindsay Tulloch told Thursday’s community safety and resilience board meeting that there was a “broad agreement” that the current set-up needed updating.
He said meetings have been held with Shetland Islands Council, which funds the CCTV network, to discuss how best to update the system.
Fourteen cameras were launched in Lerwick town centre in 2010 at a cost of £240,000, but they sparked controversy after making the town one of the most watched places per person in the UK.
On Monday, board chairman Alastair Cooper told Shetland News he expected the renewal of the CCTV network to feature in the SIC’s updated capital programme in November.
He feels it is likely the council will continue funding CCTV because it is a “safety issue and a security issue” that ties in with the SIC’s local improvement plan.
Asked whether he felt further investment in the network of cameras would be a worthwhile use of resources, Cooper replied: “We’d have to look at it seriously, yes. I think it has actually helped to cut down on incidents on the street.
“I’m not saying it’s done away with it, but it’s reduced it, and it’s also helped the police to detect the perpetrators and allowed the community to have some confidence in the system.”
He said fears that CCTV would displace crime into the lanes leading off the main thoroughfare had been unfounded, adding: “Young folk realise the cameras are there and if they’re upgraded with better resolution, it’ll make them more aware of the need to go out and enjoy themselves and not annoy other folk.”
The matter was discussed at the meeting in Lerwick’s Islesburgh Community Centre by south mainland councillor Allison Duncan, who raised concerns over anti-social behaviour on Lerwick’s Commercial Street.
Fellow councillor Michael Stout asked Tulloch whether resources potentially earmarked for upgrading the CCTV could be used elsewhere, such as deploying more officers.
However, the police chief pointing out that it was the SIC which covered the cost of operating the service, adding that he would be making a strong business case for the upgrade.
Tulloch said that funding streams are currently being identified for the redevelopment.
While he acknowledged there are some blind spots in the town, the chief inspector said the CCTV system, which is designed to provide evidence as well as acting as a deterrent, is “extremely useful”.
Tulloch was also questioned by Duncan about reports in the national media recently regarding Shetland’s links with the supply of heroin.
Newspapers such as The Daily Telegraph claimed that the isles had a specific problem with the Class A drug, partly due to Shetland’s “wealthy residents” creating a demand.
Tulloch stressed that mainland media “embellished” words by detective chief inspector Michael Sutherland, who is based in Inverness.
He said that while there was a problem with heroin in Shetland, the issue was no worse than in other areas.
“So are you saying the press misrepresented what the gentleman said?” asked Duncan, to which Tulloch agreed.
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