Oxfordshire councils join Thames Valley CCTV Partnership
Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, has confirmed the move
Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, has confirmed that all Oxfordshire councils are now signed up to join the Thames Valley CCTV Partnership. This comes after the PCC voiced concerns at the end of last year, that delayed engagement may threaten the viability of the programme.
The Partnership is a collaboration between councils and Thames Valley Police with significant investment from the PCC and funding from local authority partners to enhance CCTV provision to help detect and deter crime and keep the public safe.
All Oxfordshire councils have now joined the partnership, with plans underway to upgrade the system which will serve the county from a single central CCTV hub in Abingdon.
Matthew Barber said, “I am delighted I have now reached an agreement with Oxfordshire councils. The Partnership is already delivering benefits in other parts of the Thames Valley where an enhanced, sustainable CCTV system with closer links with frontline officers is helping to prevent crime as well as catch criminals. With councils now fully on board, work can get underway to deliver the same benefits in Oxfordshire and I hope to see the new hub in Abingdon up and running later this year.
“CCTV is a vital tool in the prevention and investigation of crime. Neither police nor councils have statutory responsibility for CCTV but, we are all committed to it. Working together as a Partnership means we can make savings while fulfilling our joint aim of keeping the public and our communities safe.”
The PCC Office says the Thames Valley CCTV Partnership is already operating successfully in Milton Keynes and Slough, where investment has led to upgrading of equipment, an increase in cameras and CCTV operator hours to enhance crime prevention, community safety and secure the best quality evidence to support investigations.