350 Arrests From Mobile CCTV

Mobile CCTV cameras in Bournemouth have captured 1,400 crimes and led to more than 350 arrests.

As part of the Council's Safer Communities campaign, it invested in four mobile CCTV cameras in April 2011 and a further two in 2012. The cameras have been positioned in 55 different locations across the borough over the last two years and offences caught on camera include assault, public disorder, burglary, theft and kerb-crawling.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said:

"The mobile CCTV cameras have proven to be a huge success and are extremely effective since they were introduced two years ago. They have enabled the Council to tackle anti-social behaviour hotspots where there currently isn't any coverage from the town"s fixed CCTV cameras. This is a cost effective solution for both the Council and the police to help improve community safety throughout the borough."

Bournemouth Neighbourhood Inspector Mike Claxton, said:

"CCTV footage that shows a clear image of someone responsible for an offence is excellent evidence for us to use.

"The mobile cameras have given the police extra capacity to position them in certain areas, helping to solve local problems.  

"They have been deployed across Bournemouth, complementing the existing fixed camera network, and over the last two years almost 3,000 people have been charged thanks to CCTV evidence from both types of camera."

Areas where the mobile CCTV cameras have been installed include; West Cliff, Westbourne, West Howe, Kinson, Redhill, Charminster, Boscombe and Springbourne as well as being used at events such as the Bournemouth Air Festival.

The six mobile CCTV cameras can be positioned in almost any public space within the borough and linked up to the town's central CCTV control room at Dorset Police Headquarters in Bournemouth.