PCC Alan Hardwick believes late-night venues across Lincolnshire should foot most of the bill for the new wireless cameras, claiming that street security is linked to the night-time economy.
“People who make money from the night-time economy all over Lincolnshire should be prepared to contribute towards the cost of policing it,” said Hardwick.
“In Lincolnshire we have lots of different CCTV systems which, in many cases, are very expensive because they use technology which is not up to date. The saving from the new system, I’m hoping, would be significant, but it needs agreement with those people that operate the systems at the moment.
“I have not even begun to cost it. I know that the cost of the external CCTV system throughout Lincolnshire is a touch over £1 million. External CCTV would be open to all businesses, including shops and the evening economy businesses.”
However, the ALMR’s strategic affairs director Kate Nicholls has branded the PCC’s proposals as “naive and unhelpful”, and called on Hardwick to consider a partnership approach between licensees and local authorities to deal with issues relating to the night-time economy.
“We would be interested to see that evidence that supports the suggestion that street security is a night-time problem,” said Nicholls.
“CCTV cameras have an important role to play in ensuring safety and security throughout the day and evening and are a vital aid to policing of all types of crime. To suggest that one small segment of business bear the full cost of a general security system which benefits all is naive and unhelpful.
“Licensed businesses already invest heavily in the safety and security of customers in and around their premises, including CCTV. Over the past 5 years, the amount invested has increased by 60% and on average late night venues invest 8% of their turnover in crime reduction – a fifth of their overall operating costs.
“What we know does work is a genuine partnership approach where the police, local authority and trade sit down together and work out priorities, problems and how to pay for solutions. A top down approach which tells business how their money will be spent will fail.”