All CCTV coverage in Blackpool to be reviewed

The work by Blackpool Council will also include relocating the CCTV monitoring centre from the former Bonny Street police station to Municipal Buildings on Corporation Street.

John Blackledge, the council’s director of community and environmental services, said parts of the system were in danger of becoming obsolete, while there had been ‘under investment’.

He told a meeting of the audit committee: “A key part of what we are doing at the moment relates to the town centre CCTV system.

“Technology is moving on so much that some of this system is going to become obsolete quite quickly in terms of replacement and management, and we do need to do something,

“Also we need to move the central control system from the police station to the Municipal Buildings.”

He said the review of cameras would include those which had been installed around the town using councillors’ ward grant funding.

Risk assessments will be carried out to see if there is “future requirement and demand” for some of the cameras which could lead to some being removed, with the review expected to take about 18 months.

In July this year, Independent councillor Gary Coleman called for a full review of the town’s CCTV system after it emerged many cameras were either dummy cameras or non-operational.

He warned: “This can dangerously mislead the public and staff into believing they are in monitored areas, when they are not.”

Coun Coleman added: “We are letting our residents, staff and visitors down by making our CCTV coverage a lottery of effectiveness.”

Calls have also been made for CCTV coverage at the Fylde Arboretum in Bispham following vandalism there.

Stanley Park is in line for a £200,000 new CCTV system paid for by Proceeds of Crime Act funding, in a move which it is hoped will cut down on acts of vandalism which have blighted the park in recent years.

* Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here