Council's CCTV Becomes A Safety Hub For Kent

Swale Borough Council’s CCTV control centre, based in Sittingbourne, is expanding to become a national safety hub.

The council’s control centre monitors Swale’s public space CCTV cameras 24/7, 365 days a year and works closely with Kent Police to tackle crime and keep residents safe.

They have now partnered with Gravesham Borough Council and Faversham Town Council to monitor their Public Space CCTV cameras too, which will bring in additional resources and staff, as well as improve the control centres’ facilities. As part of this partnership, Swale’s Control Centre can provide Councils with cost-saving solutions, whilst ensuring their public space CCTV is actively monitored 24/7 365 days a year.

This is in addition to the public space CCTV cameras, the control centre also monitors for local parish councils, along with a number of commercial cameras for private contractual agreements.

Swale Borough Council also oversees Swale Link, a business crime reduction partnership, which gives local businesses who sign up a radio to communicate with the control centre and the police, allowing for quick coordinated responses whenever any incidents occurs.   

The benefits of the scheme were seen recently when the control centre supported the arrests of three people who forced their way into a phone store on Sittingbourne High Street to steal thousands of pounds of stock.  

There are currently more than 70 businesses signed up to the scheme, which uses a network of CCTV and instant communication to tackle thefts and other anti-social behaviour. Swale’s control centre is exploring monitoring other area’s CCTV networks, growing the network of cameras, and making tracking criminal’s movements over council borders far more efficient and effective. The control centre also offers a range of services from public space and commercial CCTV monitoring, access control, out of hours, and facilities management.

Cllr Richard Palmer, chair of the Swale Borough Council's Community Committee, told SFM News: “We have assisted the police numerous times to bring people to justice, and help business stay safe, which is a testament to how capable and effective our control centre is. Growing the network of CCTV our control centre monitors not only funds improvements to our service, but also allows us to help Kent Police monitor, track and catch the people harming our community – even if they leave Swale." 

He went on to add: “We have just hit the milestone of over 70 partners across Swale signing up to Swale Link, demonstrating the immense value our service offers to our local businesses. To any potential thieves and criminals - just know that our CCTV control centre is keeping an eye on our businesses and residents to make sure they are safe, so if you commit a crime you will be caught.”  

Denise Knights, Enterprise Manager for Launch IT Charity, told SFM News: “Swale Link gives me and my business peace of mind and the feeling of security for the premises and those that work within it. The clients that work alongside me at the building, do so in the knowledge that they have real-time communication with the camera staff and police, should there be a need. Our insurance companies look favourably on this added service too. It is also important for when we have events knowing that there is always an eye on the building. This gives confidence to the attendees and knowledge that should anything go wrong they have access to the CCTV team and real-time communication with local police. I have used my radio to report fly tipping, criminal damage and ASB, all that were dealt with efficiently and to a desired outcome."

You can find out more about Swale Link by visiting:- https://swale.gov.uk/community-safety-and-emergencies/retailer-shop-radi...