CCTV Cameras in Bradford

(1) Jacobs Well, council building, 2 cameras on the roof overlooking the office car park.

(2) Charles St car park. - currently on hold awaiting upgraded fibre optic link.

(3) Bradford Library, camera on roof overlooking Sharpe St car park. Microwave link to Jacobs Well.

(4) Jacobs Well subways, a total of 12 cameras in subway system, with cable link to control centre.

(5) Magistrates Court, west side, behind police station. Fixed to court wall.

(6) Magistrates Court, north side, overlooking Channing Way/Centenary Square. Fixed to court wall.

(7) Radwell Drive/Senior Way, overlooking car park & streets - on post.

(8) Croft Street car park. Microwave connection - on pole..

(9) Arndale Centre/Kirkgate, fixed to roof of centre, overlooking car park and street.

(10) Arndale Centre/Westgate. fixed to roof of centre, overlooking car park and street.

(11) Arndale Centre/Godwin St. fixed to roof of centre, overlooking car park and street.

(12) Arndale Centre/Darley St. fixed to roof of centre, overlooking car park and street.

(13) Arndale Centre, a further 4 cameras inside covering the car parks.

(14) John St. Market/Rawson Rd, south east end, on roof covering car park.

(15) John St. Market/Rawson Rd, north east end, on roof covering car park.

(16) Rawson Rd, covering Simes St. fixed to wall of John St market building.

(17) John St market, 2 cameras inside covering car park.

(18) Manor Row/Piccadilly, by Register Office - on pole.

(19) Manor Row/Cheapside, junction, by rail station entrance - on pole.

(20) George St., Vicar Lane car park area. Microwave link - on pole.

(21) Vicar Lane/Bridge St., junction, covering Vicar Lane car park area. Microwave link - on pole.

Background.

The first local authority CCTV cameras went up in May 1990, aimed at car parks at Bradford central library, Jacob's Well and Sharpe St, as well as subways at Jacobs Well. They were extended to cover the area around the Magistrates Court. A control room was set up in the Councils Jacobs Well building.

Initial capital costs came through "phase 1" of a Safer Cities grant, paid by the Home Office and run by the Bradford Safer Cities Project based at Spring Gardens. The project was headed by Peter Tate, who was seconded from the council.

The chief council officer responsible for the CCTV scheme was Trevor Green, of the Councils Transport Division. 

In June 1991 "phase 2" funding helped pay for cameras at the John St. car park, and on Rawson Rd. June 1992 saw "phase 3" taking in the Kirkgate multi-story car park, covering the surrounding streets as well.

None of the above schemes appear to have been put before any council committee for approval. Details of the costings, including the amounts from council coffers, are unknown.

In April 1993 The Safer Cities Project agreed to give £10,000 toward "phase 4" of the scheme, with the council's Transportation committee approving a further £12,000 from its "car parks" budget. This covered 2 cameras in the Vicar Lane area, using microwave connection technology.

Further cameras were added in 1995 on Manor Row. Others have been added at Croft St and Radwell Drive.

In 1997 plans to install another camera in Charles Street were put on hold, until the city centre scheme was upgraded generally, with fibre optic links replacing the current combination of copper cable/microwave links.

Total capital costs for the Bradford system are put at £600,000, with running costs of around £80,000 per year.

The 36 cameras currently operating send black & white images to the control room at Jacobs Well, which are recorded in "slow scan" form on a continuous basis. The control room is manned for 22 hours a day (3 full time employees).

Plans are currently awaiting the go-ahead to upgrade the entire system in Bradford (which is considered outdated) and install a new control centre, probably under City hall.

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