West Berkshire Council agree CCTV funding in Newbury

Cameras to be monitored from Kennet Centre

WEST Berkshire Council has agreed to provide almost £20,000 funding to help reinstate CCTV cameras in Newbury town centre.

The money, which will cover the cost of transferring the running of the cameras to the Kennet Centre, was approved last week.

In total, £18,827 has been allocated, £5,000 of which is from money from developers, while, according to the council, the remainder has been found from projects which came in under budget last year.

A partnership, led by Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) and which includes the town council, Thames Valley Police, Newbury Business Watch and the Kennet Centre, has been established to get the cameras back up and running.

The partnership also received £12,000 from the town council and £36,000 from Thames Valley Police and will see 13 cameras, all located in Newbury town centre, switched back on.

Managing director of BID Russell Downing last week explained how CCTV not only played an important part in deterring crime, but also helped Newbury maintain its Purple Flag status – a national scheme which indicates an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night.

Speaking about West Berkshire’s decision to provide the funding, Mr Downing said: “It’s fantastic news. It just shows what can be done with a bit of collaboration between organisations, both private and public.

“It’s great that we’ve been able to get these people around the table to help provide what is a vital tool in tackling and preventing crime in Newbury.”

West Berkshire Council executive member for communities and protection, Marcus Franks, said: “I’m pleased that we have found a way to keep some CCTV provision in the town centre.

“Our discussions with partners have been very constructive and it’s great that a solution has been found which will allow CCTV provision in the town centre to remain in place.

“As we move forward, councils will no longer be able to provide so many services and we need to look for more opportunities to involve our communities.

“This is a good example of what can be achieved by working together – and the spirit of the community in wanting to be more involved.

“In this case, the council has made a small contribution to towards the start-up costs of the new operation and I’m pleased we’ve been able to help.”

The cameras – considered vital in deterring criminals and reducing crime – were switched off on April 1 and have not been in operation since.

In its budget proposal, the district council said it hoped to save around £224,930 by switching off a total of 40 cameras, including 22 in Newbury.

Mr Downing now says the cameras, all to be located in Newbury town centre, will be switched back on as soon as BT can transfer the operation of the cameras to the Kennet Centre.

“He added: “We’re still a couple of months away. But once they’re operational, they’ll be monitored 24 hours a day from the Kennet Centre.”