CCTV helped 5,000 cases in St Albans last year

The annual Community CCTV Report praised CCTV for supporting Police and other support services in 2012.

There were a total of 4,460 incidents in St Albans and a further 671 in Harpenden – totalling 5,131. CCTV assisted in a the majority of cases, including an incident where a woman’s handbag was stolen in the City centre. Two men were subsequently arrested and the whole incident was recorded by the central CCTV centre.

“This is just one example of how the timely actions of a CCTV operator result in arrests” said Councillor Beric Read.

The Neighbourhood inspector Mark Loveday added “We work closely with the Council and CCTV operators to detect and prevent a wide range of crimes and anti-social behaviour”

The Top 10 incidents by type that the CCTV control centre in St Albans has dealt with are as follows:

1. Suspicious incidents
2. Theft- shoplifting
3. Drunk persons
4. CCTV viewing – seized
5. Missing person
6. CCTV viewing – not seized
7. Information only
8. Anti-social behaviour
9. Affray
10. Concern for welfare