Council plans to spend £100k updating CCTV

A Surrey council plans to update CCTV cameras to make the public feel safe but has said the devices would not be actively monitored.

Mole Valley District Council could spend £100,000 on replacing 51 cameras across 31 sites, with an additional £40,000 spent on annual upkeep, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Surrey Police previously withdrew from its CCTV partnership with councils as it believed the service didn't provide value for money.

The force said it didn’t feel CCTV provided value for money in relation to detection and investigation of crimes with the growing use of police body worn video, car dash cams and video door bells, according to councillor Keira Vyvyan-Robinson.

Surrey Police stopped its 18-hour-a-day live monitoring service from Reigate Police Station in 2023 after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete was found on-site.

A public consultation held by the council found two thirds of respondents said the devices made them feel safer.

At a scrutiny committee meeting on 8 October, the council said it believed higher resolution technology meant more areas could be monitored with fewer cameras.

Once upgrades are in place, the council intends to work with residents associations to increase camera coverage in areas.

Leatherhead South councillor Joanna Slater said she thought the £40,000 spend was "unbelievable value for money".

"I know our budget is stretched, but the value for money for each individual woman walking alone at night time is really quite great," she added.

Reigate and Banstead Council announced plans in September to decommission 43 cameras across the borough.

In 2022/23 there were 15 arrests that were supported by CCTV captured in Mole Valley.

A final decision will be made at a cabinet meeting on 22 October.

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