Police stations to lose CCTV systems (From Craven Herald)

Police stations to lose CCTV systems

11:20am Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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Pendle Council’s executive has agreed to centralise West Craven’s CCTV monitoring system.

The decision means removing the management of CCTV systems from Barnoldswick and Earby police stations in favour of utilising the Burnley control room, where signals from CCTV systems in Nelson, Brierfield and Colne are already collected.

Pendle Council’s community safety manager Geoff Whitehead said: “The advantage of this approach is that it centralises our whole CCTV operation in one place and utilises the expertise we are already paying for in Burnley.

“It is the most effective and the least-cost option at a time when we are having to look for efficiencies.”

The move comes after a review by Lancashire Constabulary.

“It’s a difficult position for us to be in,” said Earby councillor Chris Tennant. “It came about because of change in police authority and national policy. We had no option but to accept the changes to secure the long-term future of the system. Unfortunately it will mean that local volunteers will lose access to the system.”

Barnoldswick’s Coun David Whipp said: “Sadly, it will result in less police use of the system because there’ll be much more travelling involved as they won’t be able to access it locally.”