Extensive CCTV system demonstrates District Council’s commitment to keeping residents safe

The system plays a crucial role in tackling anti-social behaviour and is used by the Council and the police to respond to live incidents in public spaces and provides invaluable evidence in insurance cases, accidents and emergency planning situations, including in the instance of flooding. 

Monitored 24/7, the system includes 73 fixed cameras across the district, located in highly populated areas or where particular incidents have taken place and at the request of town and parish councils. The cameras are situated across Newark, Balderton, Southwell, Clipstone and Ollerton. The Council also has an additional seven mobile cameras, which can be redeployed to react to incidents. 

The data collected by the CCTV cameras are used to identify the need for targeted and increased patrols, the timings of these patrols and particular locations and individuals of concern. For instance, in 2020, the system recorded 1259 incidents in Newark and Sherwood; 403 of these were proactively monitored by the control room. In addition, the Council is updating the system by replacing old cameras with modern ones, which will provide clearer images to support enforcement action.

The CCTV control room located at Sherwood Lodge monitors cameras for Newark and Sherwood District Council, Ashfield District Council and Broxtowe Borough Council and acts as an out of hours resource. The costs and savings of the CCTV network are shared proportionately between the three councils according to the number of cameras each council owns. The control room also operates a radio link system accessed by Shop Watch and Pub Watch members.

Councillor Keith Girling, Deputy Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: "We take the safety of our residents very seriously at Newark and Sherwood District Council and are fully committed to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. Whilst the provision of CCTV is not a statutory service, and therefore we as a Council are under no obligation to provide it, we recognise the importance it plays in making our residents feel safe, which was demonstrated in the Safer Streets campaign satisfaction survey, with 68% of respondents feeling that improved CCTV made them feel safe.

"As part of our Cleaner, Safer, Greener initiative, we are committed to the continued funding of the CCTV system. It enables us and the police to react to cases of anti-social behaviour effectively and provide evidence for our local partners. In turn, creating a safer place for people to live, work and visit."

The CCTV system follows the code of practice for the governance of public realm CCTV as set by the Home Office. More information about the CCTV system in Newark and Sherwood can be found on the Newark and Sherwood District Council website at https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/your-district/public-protection/crime-prevention/cctv/.