Anti-social behaviour in Alsager has fallen, a new report based on data from Cheshire East Council’s cctv control room has revealed.
Only six counts of anti-social behaviour were detected in the town between July and September, compared to 37 incidents between April and June.
Last month, the Chronicle reported how the cctv controllers identified Alsager as having a “clear issue” with anti-social behaviour in the town during the spring and early summer.
The four cameras covering the town are in the Civic car park, on the green outside the Civic, in Milton Park and at Northolme Gardens.
The report also identified that there was only one drug/alcohol-related incident in quarter two, with six drug-related offences reported in the previous quarter.
One theft, a traffic offence, and a violent incident were also reported between July and September.
Over the last 18 months, the cctv control room has upgraded all of its cameras. Some had been in operation for more than a decade, which meant spare parts were no longer available.
They have now been replaced with the highest spec available, full HD and night vision which send clear images back to its hub.
The cctv network service operates 24 hours a day including Christmas Day, which is reportedly one of the busiest days of the year.
A report to Alsager Town Council from the cctv manager at Cheshire East said: “The main point of cctv is to deter crime and anti-social behaviour. If we can’t deter it, we detect it, but I’d prefer to deter first.
“It doesn’t make my reports look great but I’d rather that and know my team is really making a proper difference to our towns, than to produce fancy reports with big numbers that look exciting.
“We also audit and monitor camera use monthly to ensure that not only am I saying we are at the front of proactive monitoring, but that we actually are!”
The home office recently awarded a British Standard accreditation to Cheshire East Council’s cctv team.
