High resolution CCTV cameras to be rolled out by police across Oxfordshire
Footage from these cameras will be watched an analysed live by officers
A brand new CCTV partnership has been launched by Thames Valley Police, led by PCC (Police & Crime Commissioner) Matthew Barber, and in collaboration with local authority partners to help detect and deter crime and keep the public safe.
The first two areas to benefit from new and improved CCTV provision are Milton Keynes and Slough, with the hope to soon extend the system to Oxfordshire.
The cameras, working and recording 24/7, will help officers in the control room, based at Milton Keynes Police Station, track criminal activity and share intelligence with officers on the ground.
“Since going live earlier this month we are already seeing the benefits of this investment with the upgrade of equipment and increase in CCTV operators enabling the police to intervene in serious crimes as they are being committed.”
The high-resolution cameras, sitting on a 360 degree angle, and which can pick up close-up detail from a number plate to a person's facial details, have been funded by the PCC and Local Authority partners to enhance the CCTV provision in both areas.
Matthew Barber said: “CCTV is an important part of community safety; benefitting policing and local communities in helping to deter crime and antisocial behaviour, identify offenders and support prosecutions."
“I am pleased to be able to build on our partnerships with local councils to launch the first phase of the programme in Milton Keynes and Slough. Ongoing commitment and investment will enable high quality, consistent and sustainable CCTV provision now and into the future which will help keep our communities safe."
“Since going live earlier this month we are already seeing the benefits of this investment with the upgrade of equipment and increase in CCTV operators enabling the police to intervene in serious crimes as they are being committed.”
From the control room, officers can monitor a range of cameras on screens displayed on the wall in front of them.
With the help of technology and a monitoring software, officers can then pick a specific camera rotate its angle, and zoom in and out of it with precision. 64 are currently installed across Milton Keynes, with a second hub planned for Oxfordshire later in 2024.
If and once suspicious activity is picked up by an officer in the control room, intelligence is shared with officers on the ground who can react quickly and investigate the activity.
The footage recorded by these cameras, day and night, will the be stored for up to 31 days.
Investment for this brand-new partnership has been used to both purchase high-resolution cameras and employ extra staff, a critical part of this scheme.
The Command Suite now has eight CCTV Operators and one Supervisor employed by Thames Valley Police to monitor cameras across both areas, increasing opportunities to detect and stop crime as it is taking place.