Hundreds of CCTV cameras have been placed across a Merseyside borough in an attempt to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour.
Halewood is the latest area to get new CCTV as part of Knowsley Council’s commitment to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, which has seen an additional £1m investment secured to address the issue. It will see six cameras installed in different areas.
The council says residents in Halewood and across Knowsley have previously raised concerns over anti-social behaviour and criminal activity in their communities. Often taking to social media, people share pleas for help or warnings to other residents.
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One local resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Anti-social behaviour does seem to be common in our every day lives but it's not just Halewood or even just Knowsley, it's everywhere. People shouldn't have to deal with abuse or be the victim of criminal behaviour so anything that can be done to combat that can only be good news.
"I'm not sure how effective CCTV can be in terms of solving crime, but hopefully it would be a good preventative measure. Only time will tell but things do need to change, whether through education or tougher consequences."
Knowsley Council confirmed there are more than 900 cameras across Knowsley that are monitored 24 hours a day. Knowsley Council’s control room have direct access to Merseyside Police’s command and control room, and this means police can be immediately notified of any incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour occurring and police patrols can be deployed accordingly.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: "I am dedicated to improving the safety of our communities and residents, and as a ward member in Halewood I’m particularly pleased to know we have been able to improve the CCTV coverage in the area. I hope that residents in Halewood feel reassured that we are committed making our communities better and safer, and the installation of new cameras demonstrates this."
Superintendent Karl Baldwin, from Knowsley’s local policing team added: "We are an intelligence led organisation and rely on the public. Thanks to a range of factors, including information shared by communities and residents we have worked with Knowsley Council to identify the hotspot areas where the new CCTV should go. The installation of the new cameras in Halewood allows policing and council staff to be even more pro-active in our approach to preventing crime."
People concerned about criminal behaviour can contact Merseyside Police via 101 or online or the Knowsley Crime and Communities Team can be contacted by emailing safer.Knowsley@knowsley.gov.uk.
