NCJ Number
167008
Journal
Gazette Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1996) Pages: 14-15
Date Published
1996
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Thirty-two closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras provide surveillance of the central part of Glasgow, Scotland and represent the largest CCTV inner-city security system in the Untied Kingdom.
Abstract
CityWatch cameras are positioned to give maximum coverage of the city center's main commercial, retail, business, and leisure area. The system covers about 40 major streets. The system cost one million pounds and was funded by the joint efforts of the public and private sectors. CityWatch differs from other CCTV systems in that the pictures are monitored in a control center in the Strathclyde police divisional headquarters. The center is staffed 24 hours a day by civilian operators, who can contact police officers for immediate action. CityWatch is expected to reduce crime significantly and aid the city's economy by attracting an estimated 40 million pounds of additional revenue to the city. Within its first month, Strathclyde police reported a significant decrease in counterfeit trading, pickpocketing, and other crimes in the area monitored by the camera. CityWatch operators have also noticed children who were obviously lost and an elderly person who needed medical help. People are already demonstrating a positive response to the safer setting. Photograph