New security camera system goes live in North Tyneside
Northumberland Gazette· 353 words · 2 min read
North Tyneside Council says it has become a regional leader in CCTV technology by rolling out more than 200 new cameras across the borough - with around half of these already installed in areas with the highest levels of need, risk and footfall.
The areas covered include town centres and busy public spaces in North Shields, Meadow Well, Wallsend, the Fish Quay, Whitley Bay and Howdon, as well as the council's community Hubs and Libraries.
The council says the initial £300,000 investment is less than the cost of replacing the old system which was reaching the end of its life - and it delivers far more capability.
The new platform uses artificial intelligence to provide a faster identification and response to issues and the aims to allow enforcement teams to carry out real-time searches in seconds - making investigations into anti-social behaviour and other offences much more efficient.
The new platform will also strengthen collaboration between the council and its partners, including Northumbria Police, who will now be able to request footage without needing exact times or dates.
Instead, a description of a suspect or vehicle can be enough for the system to locate relevant footage.
The cameras have automatic motion detection and can send alerts when unusual activity is detected, such as large groups congregating.
The council says it is committed to ensuring that CCTV is used in line with data protection requirements, has been been designed with privacy in mind and uses built‑in 'privacy zones', -which block out views of private homes and any areas where people reasonably expect privacy.
To further safeguard individuals, the system also has the capability to apply live face‑blurring when images are being monitored. These measures help ensure that CCTV is used only for its intended purpose.
All staff operating the system are accredited and follow strict professional guidelines, with oversight from the Information Commissioner's Office and in line with national surveillance rules.
Th investment supports the council's ambition set out in the Our North Tyneside Plan 2025-2030, which commits to building safe, secure neighbourhoods and using technology wisely to deliver the best value for residents.