CCTV in Welwyn Garden City

Welwyn Hatfield Council’s project to install a continuously monitored network of CCTV cameras in Welwyn Garden City is on track to go live before Easter.

A total of eight cameras will cover the town centre, where support columns have already been erected, along with two at Woodhall Parade and three columns to follow in King George V Playing Fields in the next week.

Responding to anti-social behaviour last summer, the network was extended in partnership with Finesse Leisure to cover King George V to ensure that everyone can enjoy the park.  The cameras will monitor most of the fields, and will especially protect users of the play equipment, Skate Park and pavilion.

Cameras will not be installed until communications links with the control room have been established later this month.  Installation will be complete by the end of March, enabling staff in the control room at St Albans to watch 24 hours a day.  The control room is linked directly to police HQ, who will help respond to any trouble.  Recordings will be available as evidence to prosecute wrong-doers, but it is hoped the cameras will help to deter trouble before it starts. 

Councillor Mark Gilding, Executive Member for Partnerships and Performance, said:  “This project will help us to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.  Together with our street wardens, police personnel, local residents and businesses in the CityWatch scheme, a constantly monitored modern camera system will deter crime and anti-social behaviour – as well as help the police to respond effectively.  It’s good news that this state-of-the-art project is coming in on time.”