North Yorkshire Council is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of its CCTV system, citing financial constraints and the need for modernisation
The review aims to identify cost-saving measures and explore potential partnerships for funding.
CCTV provision in North Yorkshire is a non-statutory service, meaning the council is not legally obligated to provide it. However, the service is widely regarded as valuable by both the council and residents. The current system is described as expensive to operate, particularly as it requires 24/7 monitoring, 365 days a year.
Scarborough is one of three locations in North Yorkshire with a dedicated CCTV control room. The Scarborough control room, alongside the one in Harrogate, operates 24/7. Selby’s CCTV service is currently provided by a third party.
Bridget Skaife is the council's Partnership Manager for Community Safety, she says the CCTV service is expensive to run.
As part of the review, one of the existing control rooms will be closed, with its operations being transferred to one of the remaining facilities. The council has acknowledged the importance of the CCTV service provided by Ryedale Cameras in Action, a charity that relies partly on funding from local town councils. The Scarborough control room currently provides a chargeable 24/7 service to Ryedale Cameras in Action. The council has indicated that the needs of Ryedale will be considered during the transformation process, although no definitive decisions can be made until the review is complete.
The council is actively seeking partnerships to help fund the CCTV service. Discussions are underway with North Yorkshire Police, who currently contribute a small amount towards the service. The council is also exploring collaborations with retail and business partners.
The council's executive member for Finance, Councillor Gareth Dadd, says it's right that the authority talks to other partners about funding things like CCTV.
The review also aims to modernise the CCTV infrastructure, maximize the use of technology, and improve resilience in key areas. While acknowledging the financial challenges, the council has stressed that it will not be switching off the cameras. The council says it recognises the importance of CCTV in maintaining community safety and will strive to find a sustainable solution that balances cost-effectiveness with the needs of the community.
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