Call for increase in Derry city centre CCTV funding

The chair of Derry's Policing & Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has highlighted the need for the Department for Justice and the PSNI to fund the CCTV used within the city centre.

Cllr Sandra Duffy commented: "Last year the PCSP saw a shortfall in funding for the maintenance and renewal of CCTV within the city and district.

“Meetings were held with the Assistant Chief Constable who was in a position to find the shortfall from other policing budgets.

"This was a positive move for the city but this cannot be a one-off arrangement. The city relies heavily on CCTV to protect our citizens within the town and also plays a vital role in addressing vulnerability along our riverfront and on our bridges.”

The Sinn Féin councillor added: "The CCTV has been a necessary tool in monitoring activity, with CCTV operators trained to identify vulnerable individuals and people in distress, hence sending emergency services that have been successful in preventing many tragedies.

"We depend heavily on CCTV to not only prevent crime and make people feel safe within our city centre, but to also ensure that vulnerable people can receive a timely response when in crisis.”