Fife CCTV feels the heat

The capabilities of a CCTV van used in Fife have been extended to include thermo-imaging equipment. The 360 degrees pan, tilt and zoom camera is being supplied by Perth-based Scottish Communications.

The £15,000 thermo-imaging system was imported from the USA, with Scottish Communications taking over the maintenance and servicing contract for the Fife Police CCTV van.

The CCTV van – a Mercedes Sprinter – is one element of the Fife Community Safety Partnership. The van has nine different cameras onboard, each recording their images digitally. The van has been in operation for 15 months, with the evidence gathered proving pivotal in securing prosecutions.

Stuart Ward, Fife Police architectural liaison officer, said: “This new equipment will play an important role in helping keep our communities safe. It will make a major contribution in crime detection and for locating missing persons.”

Paul Gibson, managing director of Scottish Communications, also commented: “We are delighted to have helped Fife Police extend the operational capability of their CCTV van. This state-of-the-art thermo-imaging equipment is extremely versatile and could help save lives.”