Tag: local authorities

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  

Cockburn Association: Manifesto for the City

As we head into the Local Council elections in May, the Cockburn Association has set out its “asks” of current and prospective councillors.

In doing so, we also set out key areas for policy and management to carry Edinburgh  forward post-Covid during the next administration between 2022-27.

Read and download our full manifesto by clicking here, then get in touch with the candidates in your ward and ask them if they will commit to the following:

The next five years will need to be about building a new, resilient future for the City.  Maintaining the quality of our streets, buildings and neighbourhoods should be at the forefront of governance priorities.

Professor Cliff Hague OBE, Chairperson of the Council of the Association commented: “We need to move from an exploitive linear economy to one that cherishes and reuses its built and natural environment and places community well-being at the heart of decision-making.”

The Cockburn discussed some of the ideas in this latest Manifesto for the City in greater detail in our recent publications Our Unique City (2019) and the revised version, Our Unique City: our future after coronavirus (2020).

2022-Manifesto-for-the-City-1Download

Winter warmer: More than £14 million awarded to low income households across Scotland

A total of 144,128 COVID Winter Hardship Payments have been made to families across Scotland.

The payments are available to families with children receiving Free School Meals on the basis of low income, with £14.41 million given to households as part of the Scottish Government’s Winter Plan for Social Protection.

A one-off payment of £100 was made by local authorities for each eligible child in receipt of Free School Meals between 30 November and the start of the winter holidays.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We know that many families are struggling financially due to the pandemic, whether through lost earnings, increased food costs or simply needing to run their heating more. This additional payment will hopefully have helped ease the strain they are facing.

“We have now provided over £50 million in additional funding to local authorities to continue the provision of Free School Meals during school closures, periods of online learning and holidays from the summer, and we are committed to do so through the forthcoming Easter holidays.

“The provision of Free School Meals outside of term time and the £100 payment are just two of the ways we’re working to support people and communities. We have invested over £500 million to mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic, which includes a £22 million increase to our Scottish Welfare Fund and considerable investment in support provided by community and third sector organisations.

“With our Scottish Child Payment also due to start next week, we are showing our commitment to tackling poverty and inequality through this pandemic and beyond.”

The £100 million Winter Plan for Social Protection was developed to mitigate social harms posed by the concurrent risks of COVID-19, winter cost of living increases and EU exit, as well as to promote equality and human rights.

Families are eligible for their children to receive Free School Meals, on the basis of low income, if they receive certain benefits or their local council considers they are facing financial hardship.

Further information on eligibility and how to register can be found at School meals – mygov.scot

Funding for Free School Meals has been provided as follows:

April – June 2020: £15 million – remote learning

July – Sept 2020: £12.6 million – summer holidays

Oct 2020 – March 2021: £6.95 million – Oct, Christmas and Feb holidays

Jan 2021: £7.057 million – remote learning

Feb 2021: £5.841 million – remote learning

April 2021: £4.29 million – Easter holidays

This funding has enabled local authorities to ensure that every eligible child has continued to receive a free school meal alternative – direct payment, voucher or food parcel – throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Information on the COVID Winter Hardship Payment can be found at: COVID winter hardship payment (£100 per child) – mygov.scot

Holyrood committee asks: Are Scotland’s roads properly funded?

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee is looking for views from a wide range of road users on the effectiveness of the current approach to road maintenance in Scotland and whether current funding levels are sufficient. Continue reading Holyrood committee asks: Are Scotland’s roads properly funded?

Thousands of vulnerable children may be losing out

Concern over ‘major disparities’ between local authorities

children

Thousands of Scottish children and young people with Additional Support Needs (ASN), such as those with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, autism and care experience, may not be getting the support they are entitled to according to a coalition of leading independent and third sector children’s services providers. Continue reading Thousands of vulnerable children may be losing out