Transportation and Traffic
Jacobs Well
Bradford BD1 5RW
BRADFORD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION AND PLANNING
WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT
To consider an evaluation of the effectiveness of CCTV Cameras in Shipley, Bingley, Keighley and Bradford. It concludes that CCTV installations are effective in their coverage, reduce crime, and are generally well received by the public. However, it identifies the need to introduce a Code of Practice on operational procedures to prevent abuse and misuse. Based on this review, it recommends developing a new CCTV system for Bradford to replace the existing now out dated system. Furthermore, it seeks approval in principle to enter into a particular arrangement from Vodafone Limited to provide equipment to enhance the City Centre coverage to facilitate this future provision.
Contact: John Blackburn; Tel No: 01274 757419, Fax No: 01274 390313
Alan Mainwaring Head of Transportation and Planning
1.1 To consider the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Shipley, Bingley, Keighley and Bradford CCTV systems.
1.2 An offer from Vodafone Limited to provide equipment to enhance the present City Centre CCTV coverage.
2.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Introduction
2.1 CCTV is viewed as one part of an overall plan to reduce crime and fear of crime in, inter alia, city and town centres within the Metropolitan District.
2.2 The Council's aims for CCTV in City and Town Centres are: 0 To reduce the fear of crime and offer public assurance.
· To assist in the prevention of crime and public disorder.
· To facilitate the apprehension and prosecution of offenders in relation to crime and public disorder.
· To deal with any serious public safety concerns.
2.3 The Council's Community Plan for 1997-2000 clearly identifies public safety as one of its prime objectives. "Fighting Crime for a Safer District" is one of the Council's five strategic priorities.
2.4 The Bingley and Keighley schemes were introduced in February 1996 and Shipley in May 1998 following successful bids to Home Office competitions held by Government. The Bradford scheme was operative from May 1990 although this has been enhanced on several occasions. Any further improvements/extensions will require a new installation at considerable cost. However, whilst recognising the important role of CCTV, prior to considering such longer term proposals the Community Plan gives a commitment to reviewing the effectiveness of CCTV throughout the District.
2.5 The need to review was further emphasised, in part, by the general response to the Community Plan consultation exercise which received 4,000+ responses. Analysis of responses related to CCTV brought mixed reaction as follows:-
- In car parks
- In subways (though some people favoured closing all subways)
- Outside pubs and clubs
- In any area with high crime statistics (some suggested mobile cameras)
- On estates and outside flats (especially old people's flats)
- Near cashpoint machines
- At traffic lights and pedestrian crossings
- In the city, town and village centres
- In parks.
The remainder of this report seeks to explore and evaluate these views in more detail.
2.6 This report seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of the three 'Town Schemes' at Shipley, Bingley and Keighley and Bradford City Centre through public attitude surveys, analysis of council/police statistics and consideration of the area of coverage.
2.7 There are numerous ways in which CCTV can act to prevent crime. Tilley (1992), in a study primarily of CCTV's impact upon car crime, found that through a multitude of mechanisms "CCTV can alter the perceived patterns of opportunity for crime. One of these mechanisms is the deterrent effect upon potential offenders who do not wish to risk apprehension and conviction by the evidence captured on videotape". Hence two prime considerations of an effective CCTV system is effectiveness of coverage and statistical evidence of crime reduction. Equally important is that the general publics perception is that of being safer and less at risk. This perception must also be carefully balanced against the need to protect civil liberties, the public acceptance of "being watched" must also be a major consideration therefore. The evaluation of the systems in the Bradford District considers these four issues. As the systems have been introduced over a period of 1990 to 1998 not all the schemes can be evaluated against all four criteria (because of newness or lack of information on introduction) the other schemes being restricted to relevant criteria as shown in the evaluation framework below:-
Figure 1
|
Scheme |
Date of Introduction |
Effective Coverage |
Crime Reduction |
Public Perception |
Public Acceptance |
|
BRADFORD |
1990 |
* |
* |
* |
|
|
KEIGHLEY |
1995 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
|
BINGLEY |
1997 |
* |
* |
* |
* |
|
SHIPLEY |
1998 |
* |
* |
* |
2.8 A summary of evaluation findings into the effectiveness of CCTV in Bradford District is given in Appendix 1 of this report.
2.9 Based on the summary of the evaluation given in Appendix 1 it can be concluded that:-
(i) The CCTV systems in Shipley, Keighley and Bingley all provide effective coverage of the Town Centre car parks and public locations and are able to deal with public safety concerns.
(ii) Based on evidence in Keighley and Bingley where there is direct comparison of crime statistics available there is strong evidence to show that CCTV is effective in reducing crime and assists in apprehension of criminals.
(iii) CCTV cameras generally reduced the fear of crime and offered public assurance.
(iv) A majority of the general public in Bradford District did not mind being filmed by CCTV in public places. However, there were indications from several sources that a significant minority of people were worried about the systems being open to abuse.
Hence it is considered that the Council's overall aims to reduce crime and fear of crime are being met.
2.10 It is considered that the contents of the evaluation indicates that the CCTV systems are effective and generally well received, justifying the Councils stance in the Community Plan to develop the systems further. The Council is now in a position to consider how best to develop its systems further. (Section 3 of this report refers). In so doing it is proposed to develop the management of the existing CCTV in conjunction with the Police and introduce a Code of Practise for their operations and monitoring procedures to allay any remaining public fears. This initiative accords with the recommendation of the Best Value pilot study into CCTV reported to the Transportation, Planning and Design Committee on 25 January 1999.
3.1 There is a need to extend and refurbish the present CCTV coverage in the city centre which is now eight years old to meet the Community Plan 1997/2000 targets. The existing system covers car parks in the main and there is a requirement to cover public spaces also and integrate any new system with that of the Urban Traffic Control coverage to provide a comprehensive system. This will require extreme involvement and liaison with Police, Community Safety Unit, Business Community etc, in due course. It is proposed that this work commence shortly.
3.2 Whilst the review was being carried out an interim independent survey of possible CCTV operations provided by Masons Communications Limited has already been carried out as part of a study commissioned by Vodafone Limited whose interest is that of improving telecommunications coverage within the City Centre. The study involved a consultation process with the Council's Community Safety Policy Officer, the Police Community Safety Co-ordinator and Council officers involved in CCTV.
3.3 The study evaluated several locations within the City Centre boundary suitable for CCTV coverage and worthy of further consideration by the Council in due course as part of the development of a future CCTV system. It is intended that this report now developed further by the Council with its partners to develop a CCTV system for the Central Area of Bradford. The limits of which will be the subject of future reports to this Committee and Community Safety Sub Committee.
3.4 Following the independent report described in paras 3.2 and 3.3 Vodafone Ltd has offered to enter into a partnership deal with the Council to provide equipment for joint use in the form of schemes suitable for aerials and camera usage. Their immediate need is to provide better coverage in the city centre.
3.5 The proposal is that Vodafone Ltd would provide the columns, power installation and ancillary equipment for housing the controls at a number of locations. In return Vodafone would install its antenna and associated equipment at each site, all at no cost to the Council.
3.6 The overall cost of providing full coverage of the City Centre has been estimated at £450,000 to £500,000 including a new control room and integration with UTC facilities. The partnership agreement with Vodafone, if approved could significantly reduce this amount by providing infrastructure at nil cost and a possible rental income. The exact financial arrangements would be subject to the selection of suitable sites and further financial negotiations in due course.
4.1 There are no staffing implications. In the fullness of time additional staff may be required when the whole system is refurbished and extended.
4.2 In principle Vodafone will install the relevant columns, equipment etc together with electric supply at their own cost. In addition they will pay the Council an annual rent for five years. This report seeks approval to open up negotiations with Vodafone regarding suitable terms and conditions.
5.1 CCTV schemes are introduced for the benefit of all and act as a deterrent to personal attack. The addition of CCTV cameras in the Bradford City Centre will improve the general safety of pedestrians and vehicles and reduce the fear of crime for all.
5.2 The Bradford District Crime and Disorder Audit 1998 identified that women and older people are generally more worried about crime.
6.1 CCTV improves the attractiveness of town centres to locals and visitors. Its installation has been shown to reduce crime and protect property the principle of which accord with the achievement of a sustainable district.
7.1 There are no restrictions on the publication of this report.
8.1 That the evaluation of the effectiveness of CCTV operations in the District be noted.
8.2 That, subject to the allocation of appropriate finance, the CCTV network in the Districts town and city centres be developed and improved further in accordance with the Councils Community Plan "Fighting Crime for a Safer District" Action Plan and the forthcoming Crime and Disorder reduction strategy for the District.
8.3 That the Council develop a replacement improved CCTV system in Bradford City Centre in conjunction with the Council's Community Safety Policy Officer, the Police and other interested partners, the findings of which be subject of further reports.
8.4 That a Code of Practise and monitoring procedures regarding operational issues be developed in conjunction with the Police as part of ongoing Best Value initiatives in relationship to CCTV.
8.5 That the principal of entering into a partnership agreement with Vodafone Limited to provide columns in Bradford City Centre for the future development of CCTV operations be approved subject to the negotiations of suitable terms and conditions.
8.6 That the Head of Transportation and Planning be authorised in conjunction with the Director of Corporate Services to enter into negotiations with Vodafone, based on the details of this report, to secure the Council's interests, the details of which be subject of further reports.
8.7 That this report be forwarded to the Councils Community Safety Sub Committee for consideration of the reports findings.
9.1 Appendix 1: Evaluation of the effectiveness of CCTV in Bradford District.
10.1 Home Office - CCTV Challenge Competition Round 3 (1997/98).
10.2 Report from Inter Force Assistance Interim Evaluation 12 November 1998.
10.3 Review of Effectiveness of CCTV Schemes in Bingley and Keighley, December 1998.
10.4 Speak Out Survey July 1998.
10.5 Bradford City Centre CCTV Feasibility Study September 1998.
10.6 The Councils Community Plan 1997/2000.