CRIMINALS beware – big brother is watching even closer!Spy TV in Ipswich town centre has just been upgraded and is now better equipped and more hi-tech to catch criminals in the act.
By Georgina James
CRIMINALS beware – big brother is watching even closer!
Spy TV in Ipswich town centre has just been upgraded and is now better equipped and more hi-tech to catch criminals in the act.
It is hoped that the new system will produce better quality video footage for both the police and the borough council to catch those who misbehave and ultimately cut crime in the town centre.
The council is hoping to seek further financial support from businesses who will benefit from the installation of these cameras.
Bob Feltwell, chief executive of Suffolk's chamber of commerce, said: "Suffolk chamber encourages the extension of the CCTV as it enhances the reputation of Ipswich as a place to visit.
"Individual businesses have to make their own decisions as to how much they can support these plans financially. We look forward to these new cameras becoming operational.
"CCTV certainly improves the whole environment for the public and we welcome this additional government support."
The new CCTV operation has been overhauled thanks to a £129,000 grant from the Government and a cash injection of £100,000 from the Council's Community Improvements Programme.
Out has gone the old control matrix and VHS recording system and in has come a state of the art digital recording kit and a modern "touch screen" control unit complete with new monitors, a sophisticated console and an updated playback and monitoring suite used by the police.
Part of the community improvements programme will be used to put in place seven more cameras in key locations in the town centre.
Three cameras will cover the area of Friars Street, Silent Street, St.Peters Street, St Nicolas Street and Lloyds Avenue.
There will be two cameras in Princes Street, one opposite Kartouche nightclub and one opposite the Bank of Scotland and there will be one camera facing into Cardinal Park.
N If you are a business in one of the areas to be covered by the proposed new cameras and want to make a contribution towards the installation costs, please contact Jim Manning, borough community safety officer on 01473 432702 or email jim.manning@ipswich.gov.uk
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