A SCHEME to modernise Barnsley town centre’s 43 CCTV cameras has been given the nod by councillors while plans are in place to boost the number across the area in the future to further improve safety.
The current surveillance system which has been in-situ for more than 15 years uses analogue technology with obsolete equipment, meaning the quality of images can be too poor to identify those pictured and potentially wanted in connection to a crime.
On Wednesday, the council’s ruling cabinet praised the £700,000 scheme, saying it will form a key part of the town centre’s ongoing regeneration.
Coun Roy Miller said: “It’s vital for the town centre as the new cameras will help towards a safe and secure area for people visiting, taking advantage of the night-time economy or businesses wanting to invest.”
The current cameras, which have a 45-degree field of vision, have to be moved manually by Doncaster-based operators who are also responsible for Doncaster and Rotherham’s camera  but the new system will enable 360-degree coverage and potential new ‘monitoring hubs’ based in Barnsley.
According to a report by Safer Neighbourhood Service manager Mark Giles, upgrading the system will begin in June and is expected to be completed by March 2020.
“CCTV forms a large part of the reduction in crime and disorder, however in order to have maximum impact the recorded footage needs to be of useable quality.
“Many offenders view CCTV as an occupational hazard, as such the development of high quality recording systems and cameras further enhances this hazard and allows for successful outcomes from witnessed events.
“It is the intention that a review station is installed within South Yorkshire Police’s Barnsley headquarters so they can have an overview of the town centre, and also be able to download images as required.
“The town centre hosts a number of key events where thousands of people attend.
“Currently there is no local method of monitoring the event via the CCTV, however the development of the system would allow for the remote monitoring in order to further safeguard.
“Modern technology allows for high-definition quality equipment to be installed offering wider coverage and the ability for analytics in order to support the development of Barnsley into a ‘Smart City’.
“At each column location there will also be a second, high definition camera installed that allows full pan, tilt and zoom functionality.
“This can be operator-controlled or can be intelligently and automatically controlled utilising video feeds from the 360-degree camera.”
The cabinet’s decision will also mean six more cameras, currently installed in Grimethorpe, will also be swapped with high-definition alternatives.
A camera has also been earmarked for the multi-million pound planned footbridge over the Jumble Lane railway crossing.
Wendy Lowder, executive director for communities at the council, assured the public the swap-over will not mean areas are left without surveillance and instead the process will be done in phases.
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton revealed that although the approval is for 43 cameras in the town centre and six in Grimethorpe, there is scope to extend the scheme further.
“Once the new ones are in place there’s a plan to potentially look at extending the areas which aren’t covered, particularly in the town centre.
“It’s important we press ahead with the scheme as it will provide better coverage of a much higher quality.”
