While crime rates in West Dorset are generally falling, rates of crime tend to be considerably higher in urban centres due to the numerous opportunities for criminal behaviour that exist in these areas: licensed premises, car parks, retail outlets, meeting points etc. CCTV systems have been operational in Weymouth since June 2001 and Bridport since December 2002. The schemes have had a considerable impact on:

• Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour
• Reducing the fear of crime and increasing public safety
• Contributing directly to the effective management of the town centre environment

How does it work?

The Western Dorset CCTV schemes cameras are all monitored at the monitoring station in Weymouth. Trained staff in the control room monitor the schemes 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The control room in Weymouth is one of the most advanced in the country.

The CCTV control room has a direct link to the police control room by radio and video. In addition, there are radio links to the town centre radio schemes in both Dorchester and Bridport ('Shopwatch' and 'Pubwatch' schemes).

The control room staff can notify the police, shop staff and/or pub staff if there is a situation that needs monitoring and or action. If police get a call from the public about a situation they can ask for information from the control room operators. The operators will also notify local councils if street maintenance is required such as a loose paving stone. They have also assisted in identifying lost children and have called the ambulance and or fire service to deal with any relevant emergencies, such as when someone has collapsed in the street.

There are several part-time CCTV evidence reviewers who work in the Weymouth CCTV control room and will retrieve and file any CCTV evidence needed to back up any enquires or investigations. All images are recorded for management or evidential purposes and can be easily retrieved by the trained evidence reviewers.

The current CCTV scheme covers both Bridport and Weymouth town centres with some thirty-two cameras in Weymouth, nine in Bridport (with additional ones being considered) and a new scheme in progress in Dorchester of 13 cameras, including the dual use of traffic monitoring cameras.

Bridport CCTV Scheme

The Bridport CCTV scheme consists of nine fixed cameras with full 360 degree rotation ability, covering the following areas:

Streets; South Street, West Street, East Street, Gundry Lane, Barrack Street, Rope Walk, Bucky Doo Square, Tannery Road and St Michael's Lane.

Car parks include; South Street short stay, East Street long and short stay, West Street long stay, Rope Walks short stay and Hope Terrace long stay.

The annual revenue costs of the scheme are jointly funded by Bridport Town Council, West Dorset District Council and local businesses. The district council's contribution is from car parking income.

Monitoring of crime rates in Bridport following the introduction of CCTV indicated a reduction in violent crime between 2002 and 2003, going against the district trend during this period, and a greater reduction in motor vehicle crime in Bridport than the rest of the district. Cameras recorded 106 incidents in 2003, of which over a quarter were dealt with at the scene. 18% resulted in arrest, more than 13% in police station referral and around 4% in a caution.

Dorchester CCTV Scheme

The scheme in Dorchester is a partnership between Dorchester Town Council, Dorset County Council, Dorset Police, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (who manage the project and host the monitoring station). The scheme was launched in October 2006.

Dorset County Council has extended its network of traffic monitoring cameras in the town to a total of five. These form a useful core of the crime and disorder CCTV system, and cover the following locations:

• Maumbury Cross
• Top o' Town
• Junction of High West St / Trinity St
• Junction of High East St / Church St
• Junction of High East Street / Cornhill

There are four cameras primarily covering car parks, as follows:

• Top o' Town car park
• Trinity Street car park
• Wollaston Field Car Park
• Junction of Acland Road and Linden Avenue

The other four camera locations are:

• South Street in the vicinity of the entrance to Tudor Arcade
• The junction of South Street and New Street
• The junction of Trinity Street and Antelope Walk
• Trinity Street in the vicinity of the Firestation Nightclub

Between 13-15 September 2004, around 130 businesses in Dorchester Town Centre were consulted to find out whether they supported proposals for a CCTV scheme in Dorchester and whether they supported a 10p increase in the cost of short-stay parking tickets to raise revenue for the scheme.

There was overwhelming support for CCTV in Dorchester town centre. 76 businesses responded, with 97% supporting the CCTV scheme and 72% supporting increases in car parking. The Dorchester Chamber of Trade is also very supportive of the CCTV scheme.

The extension of CCTV schemes in West Dorset has been supported by the Western Dorset Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP). CCTV helps to reduce crime and the fear of crime, and is supported by the police.

Work is being planned to monitor the impact of the new Dorchester CCTV scheme and to compare incidents of crime and disorder in the town centre before the scheme was in operation and once it has been in use for at least six months.