Council approves CCTV for Mortimer Recreation Ground

The installation of surveillance cameras has been approved at a village recreation ground.

Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council applied for permission to install two CCTV cameras in the recreational area of The Fairground in a move to reduce the threat of crime, protect council premises and ensure public and staff safety.

West Berkshire Council approved the installation on Wednesday, November 8.

The site is used as a children's play area, a games area and an outdoor gym.

The cameras are mounted on two six-metre high aluminium poles located at the north-western and south-western corners of the existing tennis court fence.

Camera images are not monitored but are recorded locally on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Access to footage is only available to limited people and is kept on encrypted cloud-based storage.

If images are downloaded, they are stored on password-protected council hardware.

Signs will be placed at strategic points to inform members of the public the CCTV system is in use.