This week it was revealed that Lisburn’s public space CCTV cameras were directly involved in helping the police make 65 arrests between April and June 2011. This number is a significant increase from the same period in 2010 when 20 arrests were attributed to CCTV.

Ernie Knox, Chairman CityWatch Lisburn, commented
‘This increase in arrests made with the help of CCTV in Lisburn does not necessarily point to an increase in crime. What we believe it shows is that CityWatch is working. We have some very vigilant CCTV monitoring staff and a much more active CityWatch membership that report crime or suspicious behavior to each other and the control room. Public space CCTV in Lisburn plays a significant role in detecting crime and disorder and increasing community safety and public reassurance as well as assisting the police in investigating crime.’

Cllr James Tinsley, Deputy Chairman CityWatch Lisburn added
‘The increase in arrests made also coincides with Retailers Against Crime Northern Ireland’s (RACNI) arrival in Lisburn. RACNI help to keep all CityWatch members informed of traveling criminals, their methods and techniques. Also Lisburn City Centre benefited from the installation of three additional cameras to the network at the end of last year which have proved useful in helping to detect criminal activity.’

In Lisburn the CCTV staff work closely with the police, partners such as RACNI and Safer Lisburn and local businesses, providing intelligence used in the detection and prevention of crime and disorder, helping to inform and direct officers on the ground and providing video evidence usable in court.  The direct contact with operational police officers and the close working relationships between the police, CCTV staff and local businesses has led to many police surveillance operations carried out with the support of the CCTV control room and led to numerous arrests.

Over the past two years Lisburn City Council has recognised the importance of having a modern public space CCTV system through their ongoing financial support of running costs and a much needed equipment upgrade programme. 

Alderman Jim Dillon, Chairman Council’s Economic Development Committee commented,
‘As the main funder of CCTV in Lisburn we realise that CCTV not only helps to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour but it has a positive impact on how local residents and businesses and visitors to the City feel. A fear of crime can reduce visitors and consumer spending and criminal activity has a negative impact on retailers both through the loss of goods and potential loss of customers. I believe that it is important to have a good CCTV system and crime prevention strategies in place to reduce or remove these fears. The recent arrest figures help to demonstrate to shoppers, business and potential criminals that Lisburn CCTV is watching and helping police to catch people who commit crime in the City.’

For more information on CCTV in Lisburn or on the CityWatch Lisburn crime prevention initiative call 028 9266 0625.