CCTV puts shoplifters on the run
Cllr C Little
News article
Shoplifting in Fylde has fallen by nearly 30 per cent since monitoring of the new CCTV cameras was introduced last year.
The eight cameras – six in St Annes and two in Kirkham - appear to be winning the war on crime with just 65 offences recorded between September and December last year.
That compares with 92 in the same period the previous year.
The original cameras were first introduced some years ago but they were made more effective last year by the addition of new technology which record within regular changes to their field of vision.
All funding has been provided by Fylde Borough Council, Fylde Local Strategic Partnership and Fylde Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and the Safer Lancashire Board.
Councillor Cheryl Little, Fylde Council portfolio holder for Social Wellbeing, said: “The camera operators can follow known troublemakers and contact the police quickly if there is an incident.
“Shoplifters cause enormous trouble to small traders and we all pick up the cost through increased prices.
“They operate 24 hours per day and, even if the operator misses an incident, they can review the footage later.
“The cameras, of course, are about more than just shoplifting. They also helped with an incident in St Annes which involved someone being threatened by a knife and helped with a traffic collision in Kirkham.
“They also help the police in monitoring incidents around licensed premises.”
One camera will be moved this spring to Ashton Gardens from the junction of St Annes Road and Park Road.
