Tag: CCTV

Revealed: the UK local authorities where CCTV has QUADRUPLED since 2019

 

  • There are now 12,960 more CCTV cameras in the UK than there were three years ago
  • Almost seven in ten (69%) local authorities have increased their surveillance 
  • Gwynedd and Wokingham councils have both upped their CCTV installations by over 300% 

The number of public CCTV cameras in the UK has now risen to over 100,000, with some local authorities more than quadrupling their surveillance over the last three years. 

IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, issued Freedom of Information requests to local authorities and found that almost seven in ten (69%) have increased their CCTV presence since 2019. 

Across the UK, there are now 108,533 public cameras, representing an increase of 14% (12,960 new devices). This doesn’t include privately owned equipment, such as cameras operated by businesses or members of the public, so the overall total will be even greater. 

The biggest rise in CCTV has been in Gwynedd, in north-west Wales, where the council now operates 468 cameras, compared to 101 in 2019 – an increase of 363%. A new system has recently been installed that added multiple static cameras in locations where there used to be one pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) device. 

Gwynedd Council is one of 16 local authorities that have more than doubled their CCTV over the last three years. 

The local authorities that have increased CCTV at the quickest rate since 2019 are: 

The biggest numerical increase was found in Liverpool, where there are now 741 more cameras than there were in 2019 (754 up to 1,495). 

The London Borough of Hackney, however, has the highest level of surveillance. The council controls 3,119 CCTV devices, which is 815 more than any other local authority. 

The councils with the most CCTV cameras in the UK are: 

# Local authority CCTV cameras in 2022 
1 London Borough of Hackney  3,119  
2 London Borough of Hillingdon 2,304 
3 South Lanarkshire Council  2,154  
4 City of Edinburgh  2,027  
5 Portsmouth 1,997 

IronmongeryDirect spoke to Grant Fulton, CMC Operations Manager at Corps Monitoring, who predicts that the number of CCTV cameras in the UK will continue to increase:  “As technology continues to advance, so too will the application of CCTV monitoring systems.

“Over the next few years, CCTV technology will improve our personal safety, the safety of our homes, businesses, assets, and far more.

“Currently, CCTV is mainly used for heatmaps and people counting but, in the future, CCTV-based facial recognition will be a significant part of our world, carrying major implications for personal device security and shopping. 

“And as this technology increases, it drives down the cost of surveillance protection, making it more affordable and accessible than ever before.” 

Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “CCTV is an integral part of modern-day society, and cameras have grown more commonplace in recent years as technology and connectivity have improved. 

“The increases revealed in our research might raise privacy concerns, but generally CCTV benefits the safety and security of both the public and businesses, and the upwards trend is unlikely to stop anytime soon.” 

To read IronmongeryDirect’s CCTV Capitals of the UK: 2022 Report, including the CCTV figures for every UK local authority, visit: 

https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/cctv-capitals-of-the-uk-2022  

Police seek two men following London Road collision with police vehicle

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a stolen car failed to stop when signalled to do so by officers.

The vehicle, which had been reported stolen from Paisley Avenue around 8.40am on Thursday (13 October 2022) was asked to stop by officers in Whitehill Road around 9.50am the same day.

The Grey VW Golf GTI was pursued and subsequently brought to a stop on London Road after a collision involving a marked police vehicle.

A 19-year-old man, the driver, has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident and was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Friday, 14 October 2022).

Two other men, passengers in the car, left the scene and enquiries are ongoing to trace them:

Male 1 – white, late teens, skinny build and average height. He was wearing a black beanie hat with a black puffer style jacket and grey cotton type jogging bottoms and dark trainers.

Male 2 – white, late teens, average height and build, wearing all dark clothing

Detective Inspector George Calder said: “As part of our ongoing enquiries we are keen to speak to the passengers who were in this car. I am appealing to anyone who knows who they are or where they might be to get in touch.

“In addition, anyone with dash-cam or private CCTV that might show which direction they took after leaving the car in London Road is asked to speak with us.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0835 of Thursday, 13 October, 2022. Or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

CCTV appeal following serious assault

CCTV appeal following a serious assault around 11pm on 18 July 2022 at Brighton Place, Portobello

Police in Edinburgh have issued images of a male they believe may have information that can assist them with their investigation into a serious assault that occurred around 11pm in Portobello on Monday the 18 July 2022.

The male is described as being white, around 40 years old, around 6ft2” tall, bald head, thin build. He is shown in the image as wearing a light coloured t-shirt with a design on the front and shorts.

Detective Constable Mark Walker of Gayfield CID said: “I would urge the male, or anyone who has information relating to the male, depicted in these images to make contact with the Police.

“Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via the 101 non-emergency telephone number quoting incident number 3631 of 22 July 2022. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

CCTV appeal: Police seek two men following serious assault on Royal Mile

Police have released images of two men they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a serious assault that took place around 3am on Friday 22 April at the taxi rank outside the Radisson Blu Hotel on the Royal Mile.

The first man is described as being between 30-40 years of age with dark hair, 6ft 2ins to 6ft 4ins in height and of large build. He was wearing a dark-blue jacket, grey shirt, black trousers and black shoes.

The second man is described as being between 20-30 years of age with dark hair, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins in height with a short beard. He was wearing a white ‘Vans’ t-shirt and blue jeans with black and white trainers.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe, of Gayfield CID, said: “I would urge the men, or anyone who has any information relating to either of the men depicted in these images to make contact with police.

“Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0291 of 22 April. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Appeal for information following assault and robbery in Bruntsfield

Police in Edinburgh have released images of a man that they wish to speak to as they believe he may have information that can assist with an investigation into an assault and robbery.

The incident took place in the early hours of Monday, 28 June, 2021, at Whitehouse Loan near to the junction of Bruntsfield Crescent, Edinburgh.

A 22-year-old man was threatened with a knife and had personal items stolen from him. 

The man shown in the images is described as Asian, in his late teens to early 20s, around 5ft 9 to 5ft 10 inches in height, slim build, short dark hair and wearing a dark hooded jacket, light grey t-shirt, blue jeans and dark trainers with white soles.

Detective Constable Euan Chancellor of the Violence Reduction Unit, Gayfield CID, said: “This incident was highly distressing for the victim and we are eager to trace the man pictured.

“Knife-crime such as this is of the utmost concern to police in Edinburgh so I would urge anyone who may recognise him to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 25 of 28 June 2021, or if they wish to remain anonymous, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Appeal for information following Edinburgh housebreaking

POLICE are appealing for information after jewellery and war medals were stolen in a housebreaking in Edinburgh.

Between 10pm and midnight on Saturday, 17 September, 2022, three people, dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas, forced entry to a house in Napier Road, Merchiston. They stole various items, including a safe which contained jewellery and war medals.

Officers have been carrying out door-to-door enquiries and are reviewing any relevant CCTV from the surrounding area for any additional information on the suspects.

Enquiries carried out so far have established the suspects broke into the rear of the property and left by the front door, getting into a dark coloured car, which drove off towards Colinton Road.

Detective Constable Scott Lynas said: “The medals and jewellery are of great sentimental value and family members are shocked and upset that the items have been stolen.

“I am appealing to anyone who has any information to get in touch. I would also ask people to contact us if they become aware of anyone trying to sell or pass on items of jewellery or medals.

“No matter how insignificant your information may seem to you, please do pass it on, your information could be the link that helps us identify the suspects and enable us to return the items to their rightful owners.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1226 of 18 September, 2022. Alternatively, please pass your information confidentially to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Images of four men released after assault in St Andrew Square

Police Scotland has released images of four males they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to an ongoing investigation into an assault which occurred in St Andrew Square at around 11.50pm on 12 November 2021.

All four men are described as being white, in their early 20s.

The first male is described as blonde and was wearing a black top, jeans and white trainers.

The second male is described as having dark hair and was wearing a grey Stone Island jumper, black body warmer, grey joggers and white trainers.

The third male is described as having dark hair and was wearing a grey hooded top with black trousers.

The fourth male is described as having dark hair, shaved at the sides, and was wearing a grey hooded top, shorts and black trainers.

Detective Sergeant Ashley Rea of Gayfield CID said: “I would urge the males, or anyone who has information relating to these males, to make contact with the Police.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact with Police at Gayfield CID, Edinburgh via 101 quoting reference number 4198 of 12/11/21.

“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”

Eleven months on, police release CCTV images of assault in South St Andrew Street

Police have released images of a man they wish to speak to as they believe he may be able to assist with an investigation into an assault in the city centre.

The incident took place around 8pm on Friday, 6 August, 2021, on South St Andrew Street.  A 36-year-old man was assaulted and sustained a facial injury but did not require hospital treatment.

The man pictured is described as white, aged 25-30 and had facial hair.

Detective Constable Moran, of Gayfield CID, said: “The victim was subjected to an attack which left him with a facial injury. I would urge anyone with information relating to the man in the CCTV images to contact police as soon as possible.”

Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 3319 of 6 August, 2021, or if they wish to remain anonymous, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

CCTV appeal following Meuse Lane assault: do you know these men?

Police Scotland has released images of four men they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a serious assault which left a 20-year-old man unconscious, at Meuse Lane, Edinburgh, around 10.10pm on Saturday, 11 December, 2021.

The first man in the images is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 8ins, with short dark hair and of medium build. He was wearing a navy blazer.

The second man is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 6ft, bald, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket.

The third man is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 7ins, bald and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket with a blue top underneath.

The fourth man is described white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 10ins, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark beanie hat, a dark jacket and blue jeans.

Detective Constable Christopher Docherty of Edinburgh CID, said: “I would urge the men depicted in these images, or anyone who has information relating to them, to make contact with the police.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact CID via 101, quoting incident number 3747 of Saturday, 11 December, 2021. Alternatively, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”

Police appeal for information after motorcycle fails to stop for officers

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a motorcycle failed to stop for officers on Sunday (26 June, 2022).

Around 12am, officers saw the vehicle, which was later identified as a stolen orange KTM motorcycle, being driven at speed along Leamington Terrace.

The motorcycle was signalled to stop by officers but was driven off down Gilmore Place, towards Viewforth.

The motorcycle was then driven along Dundee Street and towards Fountain Park, in the Fountainbridge area, down Drysdale Road and onto the West Approach Road. It was last seen in the Gorgie Road area.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver, passenger and the vehicle. No one was injured during the incident.

The motorcycle’s driver and passenger are both described as wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

The motorcycle had earlier been reported stolen from Spittal Street, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Monday 20 June 2022.

Detective Sergeant Ross Dunn, of Drylaw Police Station, said: “Our enquiries to trace the driver and vehicle are ongoing.

“We believe the area would have been quite busy with members of the public and are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch.

“If you were in the area at the time, please think back and get in touch with us if you have any information which may be able to assist our investigation.

“From our CCTV enquiries, we believe a woman may have filmed the incident in the Fountainbridge area. I am particularly keen to speak with her and would ask her to contact officers as soon as possible.

“I would also ask anyone with dash-cam footage to come forward, you may have captured something which could assist us in our enquiries.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0008 of Sunday, 26 June, 2022.