Lisburn: Council confirms CCTV is now 24/7 following 'serious concerns' on handover of system
A Northern Ireland council has confirmed its CCTV cameras are being monitored 24/7 amid “serious concerns” raised on the handover of a CityWatch security system.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council had faced chamber scrutiny over potential “teething problems”, but locked out the public and the media on discussions over the live viewing operations.
The council has now responded to the Local Democracy Reporting Service stating that the CCTV handover has been smooth though concerns over “muddled” messaging remain.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The council has maintained live 24/7 recording and monitoring of public realm CCTV without interruption since the handover from CityWatch.”
The charity CityWatchNI had watched over Lisburn, Moira and Hillsborough public areas for over 25 years before being liquidated in July and a transfer of assets made to the council. The camera monitoring system is now located in Lagan Valley Island civic centre.
Lisburn South DUP Alderman Paul Porter said: "A few weeks ago the issue of the cameras from CityWatch not being manned was raised with the transition of the system to the council.
“The main reason I raised this matter was down to the serious concerns brought to my attention about the running of the cameras during the handover of CityWatch, with those initial concerns not alleviated by the council.
“Following that I have been working diligently with council officers to make sure the handover is seamless as best we can, so there is going to be teething problems.
“I welcome the fact that assurances have come from the council that the cameras are now being monitored 24/7 and hopefully that will give the public reassurances.
“There are issues of the cameras going down from time to time, but that happens with any CCTV system. I would like to commend the previous CityWatch team who voluntarily gave up their time.
“The council taking this over was never going to be easy, but at the end of the day we are doing this very important service to make sure the public feel safe.”
According to the CityWatch website, the crime prevention charity was set up by Lisburn City Council in July 2001 and went into voluntary liquidation “due to a redirection of funding away from Citywatch”.
The website adds that the aim of the company was to detect, prevent and reduce crime and the fear of crime in dedicated areas across NI.
Lisburn North independent councillor Gary Hynds said: "For me, the main issue now is public clarity. I was given assurances in confidential session, which I respect given the operational sensitivities.
“I am also pleased if the concerns raised have helped ensure any issues are now being addressed. However, there has been some muddled and mixed messaging from the council on this, which hasn’t been helpful.
“Residents deserve clarity about what is currently being provided, while recognising that operational details cannot all be made public.
“The council has taken this service in-house, and it must be fit for purpose. CCTV needs to be a proactive tool for preventing and deterring crime, as well as supporting the police.
“This is about protecting our residents and public realm, and I believe the PSNI should be part of that funding conversation rather than the entire burden automatically falling on local ratepayers."