Dulal Ahmed, Housing Enforcement Manager, presented the report that outlined the Council’s CCTV purpose, the six month interim results implementing the policy during COVID-19 and assisting with the successful prosecution of offenders. That CCTV was an invaluable tool for Essex Police and the Community Safety Partnership to combat crime, deter anti-social behaviour and environment crime such as fly tipping, whilst enhancing community safety. Members were referred to the data sharing part of the report and the evidence packs that were produced for the Police and Council enforcement officers.

Councillor Redsell referred to the mobile cameras and questioned whether these were connected to vehicles. Dulal Ahmed stated there were 10 mobile camera devices that were fitted around the borough on street furniture and that the Council did not have any cameras on moving vehicles.

Councillor Redsell referred to the problem of motor bikes on Blackshots Field and questioned why this camera did not pick anything up.  Dulal Ahmed stated the Council had worked closely with Essex Police on a number of operations on motor bike offenders and had been identified with their items being seized.

Councillor Lawrence questioned what the process was for Members to ask for a mobile camera to be moved into a certain area. Dulal Ahmed stated that intelligence of such activities would be presented to the Council’s Local Action Group and would be discussed with partners including the Police to identify what offences were being committed, the operation need and whether it would be feasible to install a camera at that location. Members could report such activities to the Police as a priority area or an email could be sent to the community safety partnership team. 

Councillor Lawrence questioned whether mobile cameras had been in operation to capture the use of gas canisters. Dulal Ahmed stated that cameras had been deployed to car park areas to deter this from happening and contact was being made to those offenders using the vehicle registration number to identify them. Members were reminded that these incidents, and where the registration number was known, could be reported to the Police. Julie Rogers stated a lot of joint work had been undertaken with the Police and the Council’s enforcement team and had some very positive outcomes and that Members could report any such incidents through member enquiries.

Councillor J Kent questioned whether the Council were considering in any way the use of facial recognition software. Dulal Ahmed stated that his team were in the process of drafting a CCTV Strategy and there were no plans, at this stage, to look at using facial detection as a surveillance tool to identify persons of interest.

At 9.20pm, Councillor Redsell suspended standing orders.

RESOLVED

1.         The Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted and commented on the interim results of the Public Identification CCTV policy.

2.         The Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the Community Safety Partnership oversee the monitoring of this policy.

Community Safety Partnership oversee the monitoring of this policy.