Antrim and Newtownabbey inspection finds ‘poor’ and broken CCTV cameras

The findings were highlighted in a routine planned maintenance report last month, the borough council’s Community Planning Committee has been told.

The committee heard that these issues are being investigated with a view to repair.

An audit of all CCTV provision in the borough was carried out in 2017/18 and is to be reviewed this month to assess the cost of upgrading the system.

There are 415 cameras installed across the borough with 11 “public facing” in the Glengormley and  Abbey Centre areas of Newtownabbey.

The audit found CCTV in the “wider Glengormley area” to be “very poor”.

An officer’s report to the committee stated: “Consideration needs to be given to the age and condition of the existing system before committing further expenditure on repairs.”

Councillors were told that discussions with the PSNI with regard to sharing the financial cost for the “public facing” cameras have not been successful to date.

The PSNI, property owners and the maintenance contractor have highlighted a number of issues with the local authority’s CCTV provision, councillors also heard.

Concerns include “poor quality” of images and “poor or no images at night time”.

The report also noted frequent breakdowns with replacement parts said to be “obsolete” and equipment “becoming impossible to maintain”.

Councillors were also told of potential for “hacking” of images.

The devices are said to be “not fully compliant with GDPR” (General Data Protection Regulation).

The most efficient cameras are located at the Gateway Centre at Lough Shore Park in Antrim, O’Neills Road Household Recycling Centre and Crumlin Leisure Centre.

Speaking at Monday evening’s meeting of the Community Planning Committee, DUP Councillor Stephen Ross said that he looked forward to an economic appraisal being carried out but he expressed concern over the cost to the council of upgrading the CCTVs.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

Click here to read: Antrim and Newtownabbey sees highest percentage increase in reported anti-social behaviour

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