Ards business traders support CCTV: survey

Share your news storys
Post Reply
User avatar
Ronski
Ards Forum Reporter and Backbone
Posts: 458
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:39 pm
Location: RUA REIDH LIGHTHOUSE

Ards business traders support CCTV: survey

Post by Ronski » Sun May 31, 2009 1:38 pm

Ards business traders support CCTV: survey
Belfast Telegraph
By Michael Bashford
Wednesday, 27 May 2009


Over 80 percent of traders in Newtownards feel they have benefited from the introduction of CCTV in the town, a newly commissioned survey has said.

The review, commissioned by Ards Borough Council and the PSNI, found that 83 percent of respondents stated their support for CCTV and 42 percent believed the cameras had proved effective in reducing crime since being introduced in September 2007.

When asked to compare their experiences of crime in 2006, before the cameras were in place, to the present day, the review said that:

l64 percent of respondents felt either safe or very safe when visiting or leaving their premises — a rise of 30 percent on the 2006 figure;

l38 percent of respondents indicated that they, their staff or business had been affected by crime in the last two years in 2006, compared to 66 percent in 2006;

lIn 2006, 32 percent of respondents indicated that their business had been adversely affected by crime in Newtownards. In 2009 this had fallen to 24 percent.

Since the introduction of the CCTV system, the number of crimes in Ards fell by 19 percent in total when comparing 2006 and 2008 figures, with significant reductions in theft from vehicles which dropped by 59 percent, theft of vehicles which saw a 33 percent reduction and youths causing annoyance which decreased by 41 percent.

“Both the statistics and the feedback from local businesses based in the town centre show that CCTV is working in Newtownards,� said the Mayor of Ards, Councillor Jim Fletcher.

“No-one has ever claimed that it has resulted directly in a drop in crime, but there is no doubt that the presence of the cameras has a deterrent effect and allows the police to respond quickly and effectively to crime which does occur or incidents which could escalate without early intervention by PSNI officers.

“The results of the business survey are particularly significant because they show that one of our key aims — to provide reassurance to local businesses and improve the public’s confidence and feeling of safety when working and visiting the town — is being met.

“I welcome the publication of this review report and look forward to seeing further progress.�

PSNI area commander for Ards, Chief Inspector Philip Knox, said: “CCTV has undoubtedly contributed to the sustained reductions in criminality and anti-social behaviour within Newtownards town centre.

“It is a valuable investigative tool for my officers, and the recent adjustments to allow monitoring within the Newtownards PSNI control room will build on the existing capability.

“The system also acts as a deterrent to criminal behaviour and the survey findings that state that town centre users now feel safer when working in the town is very encouraging.

“CCTV is one aspect of our overall crime reduction strategy and it is clear that the partnership approach being driven within Ards is delivering clear and tangible benefits to all of our commu
nity.�

:1w b1 b1 b1 b1 :1w :1w :1w
"Life isn't like a bowl of cherries or peaches..it's more like a jar of jalapeno's.

What you do today,might burn your arse tomorrow.

Post Reply