Wiltshire towns' CCTV systems undergo massive upgrade

Nov 10, 2023

CATCHING criminals and monitoring public safety in Warminster and Westbury has been made much easier with the installation of new state-of-the-art camera equipment.

The Warminster and Westbury CCTV partnership has completed a massive £180,000 upgrade to CCTV coverage in both towns. The new system was officially opened on Thursday (June 1) by the Mayor of Warminster, Cllr Phil Keeble, who said: "We are very proud of the new system. It is a great facility and a vast improvement on what we had before.

"The images that it produces now with the digital cameras are crystal clear, making it much easier for recognition in crime detection and crime prevention.

"It also creates a safe environment for the public, particularly the night-time economy.

"But it is not there to spy on people. It is not the ‘Big Brother’ that is watching over everyone."

Andrew Davis, chairman of the Warminster Town Council CCTV sub-committee and Warminster Mayor Cllr Phil Keeble (seated right) take a close look at the Warminster and Westbury CCTV control centre operations. Photo: Trevor Porter 69908-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

The new systems recently installed have been hailed as a major step forward in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

The partnership's CCTV manager, Mark Chalmers, says the system is "possibly the best in Wiltshire" if not one of the best in the country.

The new cameras provide high-definition digital images which have excellent evidential value should they be needed in court.

More than 40 closed circuit television cameras are now being monitored across Warminster, Westbury and the West Wilts Trading Estate.

They now have enhanced night vision infra-red and the new cameras have a longer range and wider coverage than the 20-year-old ones they replace. The siting of all cameras has been checked and, if needed, changed to new locations to ensure they are providing the best possible coverage.

The upgrade has been funded by Warminster Town Council, Westbury Town Council and West Wilts Trading Estate.

Representatives from all three partners, plus those from Wiltshire Police, were given a guided tour of the CCTV control centre on Thursday.

Afterwards, Cllr Kate Knight, from Westbury Town Council, said: "It is very good. It certainly makes me feel a lot more confident about walking through Westbury."

The partnership says the CCTV system is there to prevent, deter and detect crime, helping to provide a safer environment for the general public and reducing the fear of crime.

The centre employs six full-time operators, plus six volunteers, who monitor the CCTV around the clock.

They watch out for issues such as anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, assaults, public order offences, domestic violence, missing persons, drink driving or drug dealing.

Operators have a direct radio link with Wiltshire Police and will inform them of any incidents taking place.

They also assist the police when requested, for example by tracking a vehicle or looking for a missing person.

The CCTV Partnership also operates a very successful Shop Watch scheme made up of retailers who are all linked via a digital radio system monitored in the control room.

If a shop has any shoplifters, suspicious persons or anything they are not happy with they will call up on the radio and CCTV operators will monitor the situation. Cllr Andrew Davis, chairman of Warminster Town Council's CCTV sub-committee, says the new system expected to last decades as future proofing has been incorporated into the package.

"Over the past two or three years, things have been going on to get the system up and running as it is working today, all modern technology and computer-controlled and with wif-fi links."

The CCTV team is made up of both paid staff and volunteers but they are always looking for additional volunteers willing to spare four hours. Training will be provided.

Contact Warminster Town Council on 01985 214847 or email: [email protected]