Council / ‘Obsolete’ CCTV network to be dismantled
Council officers are working with police on a business case for a new up-to-date system
LERWICK’s much-heralded network of CCTV cameras are being taken down by the local authority as “it is no longer fit for purpose”.
The council’s director of development Neil Grant told a meeting of the development committee on Tuesday that that system had not been working for some time.
Installed in 2010 at a cost of £240,000 to Shetland Islands Council, the system has been regularly in the headlines with allegation that the network of 14 cameras around the town centre has not been working properly.
Police Scotland has been looking at upgrading the network with better equipment since at least 2017.
A council report, discussed in private in autumn of that year, described the CCTV network as “not fit for purpose”.
On Tuesday, it was described as “obsolete”.
“As the system is no longer fit for purpose, following discussions with Police Scotland during Q3, the cameras and associated equipment are being removed from the street and the removal of the equipment located in the Lerwick Police Station is being arranged,” a council report said.
Grant added that council officers were working with Police Scotland on a business case for a new up-to-date system, but he did not expect these discussions to result in a proposal before spring of next year.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
