Crime on camera

Camden Council has launched two new pilot projects to help improve council tenants’ lives.

One of these is a trial of new digital CCTV technology to improve security on their housing estates. Councillor Julian Fulbrook announced the new Digital Concierge Service. This pilot scheme will use cutting edge digital camera technology, which will make it cheaper to install and run CCTV systems as a deterrent to crime.

The Digital Concierge Service will be initially rolled out on a number of smaller estates and blocks of flats to see how it works. Hi-tech covert cameras will also be installed in some public areas where crime and antisocial behaviour is seen as a problem. The tiny cameras can take incredibly detailed images, but are extremely hard to identify. Camden Council has already successfully used covert cameras to identify groups of youths causing criminal damaging, graffiti, taking drugs and drinking. The council has already identified 14 possible estates or blocks of flats for this £250,000 scheme and is currently making further studies to check the feasibility of using cameras.

Councillor Fullbrook said: “Technology is moving fast and is opening up new possibilities for us to help Camden residents. These simple cameras are a proven deterrent that can help identify troublemakers. They are also extremely reassuring to residents, who know that at the end of the camera there is someone who can alert the police or get assistance if something terrible happens.”