A £500,000 upgrade of CCTV cameras and systems across Redcar and Cleveland have been completed.
New cameras in new locations have been installed, old cameras replaced and the whole system has now entirely switched from analogue to digital.
The CCTV Control Room has also been remodelled and there are now more than 200 cameras across the borough.
Cllr Neil Bendelow, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“I’d like to stress that we don’t put up cameras anywhere willy nilly just for the sake of it. On the contrary, they are all in areas where there is a clear need and demand. I’d also stress that the cameras are just a part of how we protect and provide assurance to the public. They absolutely are not a substitute for our officers and Community Safety Team members who work with police every day to prevent crime and reassure the public.
“The cameras, which are monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, can act as a deterrent to wrongdoing, help reassure the public and can be a useful support tool for the police. On the contrary, they are all in areas where there is a clear need and demand.
“I’d like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Cllr Adam Brook, who did so much to make this improvement possible. And I’d also like to thank our officers, police and everyone else who works every day on the frontline to protect residents, visitors and businesses.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Alec Brown, added:
“Anti-social behaviour can cause misery and it has been a key aim of this administration to reduce and eradicate it. That includes working with partner agencies, like the police and housing associations, but also the communities. These major improvements to our CCTV systems will help deter anti-social behaviour, reassure our residents and bring those who persist in criminal activity to justice.”
Funding for the improvements came from central government. New CCTV locations include areas of Redcar, Grangetown and Ormesby. As well as areas where crimes and anti-social behaviour has been reported, they have been installed near walking and cycle routes and popular green spaces including parks.