The scheme comprises 31 cameras at strategic points in and around the town centre with another located in Highcliffe village centre. In addition there are four petard mobile cameras that can be deployed at various locations around the borough when the need arises. The cameras are located as follows:

• Barrack Road/Portfield Road junction (opposite Bailey Park)
• Stour Road/Willow Way roundabout
• Bargates/Stour road junction
• Bargates (near entrance to Law Courts car park)
• Pit Site car park
• By-Pass (End at Fountain Roundabout)
• High Street (End at Fountain Roundabout)
• Saxon Square Mall
• Millhams Street North (Adjacent Saxon Square Car Park)
• Saxon Square (2)
• Bank Close Car Park
• High Street (Opposite Millhams Street)
• High Street/Castle Street Junction
• Saxon Square Car Park (Lower Deck) (6)
• Wick Lane Car Park (2)
• Priory Car Park
• Wick Lane (Church Street end)
• Church Street
• Castle Street (Kings Arms)
• Bridge Street Car Park
• Leisure Centre Car Park (Rear Civic Offices)
• Leisure Centre Car Park (2RM)
• Bridge Street/Purewell/Stony Lane South Junction
• Purewell Cross
• Lymington Road Highcliffe Village Centre
• Deployable - various locations (4)

How it works

• Each camera (except petard mobiles) is linked to the Control Room by fibre optic cable
• The control room is situated in Christchurch Police Station, Barrack Road
• They are monitored by police trained operators who are employed and managed by Christchurch Borough Council
• Dorset Police may also monitor the cameras as required
• The scheme is operated in accordance with a Code of Practice
• Recording of all cameras is 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Recorded material is strictly controlled
• The scheme operates in conjunction with the local Shop Watch scheme
• Petard mobile cameras can be deployed to various locations and transmit back to the control room by radio signal

The objectives

To reduce the number of incidents of:

• Theft from or of vehicles
• Public disorder or nuisance
• Violence and criminal damage
• Theft from shops and individuals

The code of practice covers

• Control Room operation
• Access to the Control Room
• Control Room administration
• Use of tapes
• Video tapes as evidence
• Provision of video stills

It also explains the purpose of the scheme and how any changes may be made.

Copies of the Code of Practice are available from the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Christchurch, Christchurch Police Station, Christchurch and Highcliffe Libraries and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

• Name: Administration Officer (Christchurch)
  Email: planningpolicy@christchurch.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495017
  Fax: 01202 495108
  Full details for Administration Officer (Christchurch)