CCTV pilot agreed for Randalstown centre with call for similar measure in Ballyclare following 'tens of thousands of pounds' worth of damage
Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have agreed to a six-month CCTV pilot in Randalstown following vandalism.
At a meeting of the council’s Community Development Committee, it was recommended CCTV be installed at Neillsbrook Community Centre at a cost of £7,000.
Ballyclare Ulster Unionist Councillor Vera McWilliam said when CCTV is “talked about in other places, there was a big procedure to go through”. “This seems to be a done deal without discussing,” she stated.
Director Ursula Fay, director of community and culture, replied: “At the end of the day, we are in your hands.”
Threemilewater DUP Cllr Mark Cooper BEM said requests for CCTV have been made through the Policing and Community Safety Partnership. “It is strange the way this mechanism has come in. I have never seen anything so quick.”
Ballyclare Independent Cllr Michael Stewart claimed the toilet block in Ballyclare town centre has been vandalised “practically every month for the past five years”. He recalled there have been requests for CCTV in the vicinity “constantly” for the past five years.
He added that Neillsbrook “can get CCTV within a month” of a councillor asking for a business case after £1,900 worth of damage over a six- month period yet “tens of thousands of pounds” worth of damage has been caused at the toilets in Ballyclare, which he described, as “frustrating”.
Cllr Stewart requested officers look at a business case for CCTV in Ballyclare and bring a report. Ballyclare DUP Cllr Helen Magill said she would second the proposal.
Committee chair Dunsilly Ulster Unionist Cllr Stewart Wilson said anti-social behaviour and other issues at Neillsbrook have been ongoing for a couple of years.
Cllr McWilliam stressed “I am not against CCTV going into Neillsbrook”, rather the wording in the report, particularly use of the word ‘noted’.
“It is recommended that the installation of CCTV at Neillsbrook Community Centre at a total cost of £7,000 be noted, ” the report said.
“Since May 2025, there have been several incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of this community centre, including damage to the perimeter fence associated with the 3G pitch, caused by unauthorised access to the pitch,” the report stated.
It noted the cost of repair as a result of vandalism to the 3G pitch perimeter fencing during the past six months was £1,894. The costs to install a multi-sensor camera and associated equipment at the centre is approximately £7,000, with an ongoing cost of £720 per annum.
Currently, there is no CCTV at any of the community centres in the Antrim area. The council is progressing a project in relation to the potential addition of CCTV at facilities currently without such provision.
Airport Sinn Fein Cllr Maighréad Ní Chonghaile urged caution over setting a precedent and for any such provision to be “transparent, fair and equitable”.
The director explained there was a specific request to look at something and the potential for CCTV may be a “deterrent” due to the location of the building.
Antrim DUP Cllr Paul Dunlop BEM proposed an amendment to change the wording to Neillsbrook ‘pilot’ for six months to see if there is a “significant decrease” in anti-social behaviour in the area, then consider the possibility of CCTV at other facilities where there is anti-social behaviour.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter