LCC Broadcast News Room

The Executive Committee of Southwark Council heard a report last night on plans to overhaul Southwark's CCTV network.

Linda Manchester, Executive Member for Community Safety said the borough's cameras are coming to the end of their life, and that the current system needs to be replaced with a 21^st century CCTV network.

The report says the network needs considerable external investment, but admits there is very limited funding available.

As a result, the council have decided to reduce the number of cameras in operation in the borough.

Jonathan Toy, head of Community Safety and Enforcement in Southwark, told the meeting he'd be looking at the approach of other local authorities to CCTV, to decide what's best for Southwark. Speaking afterwards to LCC news he admitted the current system is not technologically advanced enough to fully support the community.

Southwark currently has 460 CCTV cameras, and the decision to reduce this number is in stark contrast to nearby Wandsworth, which has 1,113 CCTV cameras - as many as Dublin City Council, the Police departments of Johannesburg and Boston and the City of Sydney authority combined.

Opposition Councillor John Friary cannot comprehend why the council would reduce the number of cameras, which he believes act as a powerful deterrent and are valuable in solving crime.

But Councillor Manchester insists that residents' safety will not be compromised, as the network will be made far more efficient. Stationary cameras, for example, will be replaced by cameras installed temporarily to target a particular problem, and then moved to where they are most needed. Click here to find out more about CCTV in Southwark.

Speaking to residents in Southwark, LCC News found that most value CCTV highly, and say it makes them feel safer. A number were concerned therefore, that a reduction in cameras might lead to an increase in crime.

The cost of overhauling the system has yet to be finalised, but could be up to £2 million.

Does CCTV make you feel safer? Is it effective in preventing crime? Tell us what you think...