Pictured: Left to Right
Sam Galsworthy The High Sheriff of Cornwall, Police Inspector Dee Evans, Penzance and Isles of Scilly Sector, Councillor Tony Harris (St Ives Town Council), Councillor June Lawrenson-Reid (Mayor of Hayle Town Council), Councillor Johnnie Wells (Mayor of St Ives Town Council), Eleanor Giggal (Town Clerk Hayle Town Council, James Hardy (Town Clerk Penzance Council), Louise Dwelly (Town Clerk St Ives Town Council), Councillor Stephen Reynolds (Mayor of Penzance Council ), Keith Lancaster Infinitus Security Ltd, Seated Kim Phillips, Director of Infinitus Security Ltd
Photo Credit: Penzance Council.
The new West Cornwall CCTV Partnership is officially launched on Thursday 22 January by St Ives Town Council, Penzance Council and Hayle Town Council.
The Town Councils of St Ives, Penzance and Hayle have celebrated the official launch of an innovative CCTV initiative. The partnership will monitor and manage up to 40 cameras in the three town centres from a single control centre, based in St Ives.
Faced with the closure of the Cornwall Tolvaddon control centre, town councils, who each own their town centre CCTV system, were asked to find an alternative solution. The three councils have worked together with local security contractor Infinitus to set up a new partnership from the bottom up. The partnership will ensure live monitoring and maintenance of the systems is delivered locally. It will also provide for closer working with the local police sector which covers the three towns.
Speaking at the official launch,
Councillor Johnnie Wells (Mayor of St Ives Town Council) said:
“Upon learning that the Cornwall system was closing down, the three Town Councils very quickly stepped in with an innovative solution. I am proud of what we have achieved by working together to deliver for our local area.”
Councillor Stephen Reynolds (Mayor of Penzance Council) said:
“This initiative is a great example of how town councils can work in partnership to find local solutions that work better for our residents and businesses. From a Penzance perspective, I’m confident that this improved, locally-controlled CCTV monitoring – combined with increased funding from Penzance Council and Penzance BID in Street Marshals and anti-social behaviour support – will help make our streets safer for everyone. Huge thanks to the staff from all three councils, and from our contractors Infinitus, for making this happen.”
Councillor June Lawrenson-Reid (Mayor of Hayle Town Council) said:
“We are delighted that we have been able to establish this new West Cornwall partnership and to continue to deliver this essential service, following Cornwall Council’s withdrawal. It is a good news story in terms of community safety for the local residents and businesses and we have every confidence that this new collaboration will be more flexible and suited to the needs of the three towns. Lots of hard work has gone into this initiative, and we appreciate the work of the Town Clerks and their teams and Infinitus for getting us to this point.”
Kim Phillips, Director of Infinitus Security Ltd said:
“We are very happy to be involved in the new CCTV Control Room covering St Ives, Penzance and Hayle towns, which will help improve the safety and comfort of people who live, work and visit the area. Our work will help improve wellbeing, with the use of this critical tool, by actively working with local Police to combat anti-social behaviour and crime, as well as providing a necessary service in supporting the Town Councils and other agencies in their work.”
Police Inspector Dee Evans, Penzance and Isles of Scilly Sector said:
‘’It’s great to see CCTV monitoring for my Sector will be controlled locally. This will be advantageous to my officers who utilise CCTV frequently as part of their investigations. This new way of working will streamline processes making them more efficient. It will also allow for officers to build up better local connections with our partnership colleagues, which in turn will lead to an increase in public safety and better outcomes for victims.’’
