CCTV

CCTV coverage for Cromer, Sheringham and Fakenham came online in 2001, with the launch of the North Norfolk Linked Towns Initiative to cut crime and the fear of crime. This has since been expanded to cover North Walsham and Wells.

North Norfolk District Council has the main responsibility for running the system; other funding partners include the County Council, the Town Councils and a number of local businesses.

Home Office funding totalling nearly £752,000 enabled a major upgrade of an earlier system, which businesses on the Fakenham industrial estate had been running for several years. The upgrade included the widening of coverage in Fakenham (including the Industrial Estate) and extended it into Cromer, Sheringham, Wells and North Walsham.

The construction of a new control room at Fakenham gives the opportunity for 24-hour, seven-days-a-week cover throughout the year by trained operators employed by the District Council.

Views from the system's 42 cameras are permanently on display in the control room and monitored with digital recording. Operators select individual cameras for in-depth patrolling, and have the ability to record independently, print colour images and transmit camera information to Norfolk Constabulary's headquarters control room.

While North Norfolk is a relatively low-crime area, the partnership is committed to sustaining this position and taking every reasonable step towards reducing crime and disorder in the area. The camera system seeks to:

• deter crime
• reduce the fear of crime
• detect crimes where these are committed
• provide evidence for court proceedings
• enhance community safety
• assist Norfolk Constabulary in the quick and efficient deployment of officers.

The system complies with the Data Protection Act and Human Rights legislation and is managed under a strict code of practice.