A CCTV hub that keeps a watchful eye over Sunderland to protect people in the city has moved to a new home.
The City Alarm and Emergency Centre is a vital resource in helping the emergency services and Sunderland City Council to tackle crime and help find vulnerable people. With CCTV cameras all over Sunderland, staff at the centre are able to monitor everything going on in the city 24/7 to help keep people safe from harm as they go about their day.
The team is able to provide surveillance of hotspot areas and issues relating to crime and disorder, including antisocial behaviour, drug, alcohol misuse and shoplifting. It also monitors pubs, taxi ranks, match day crowds, and concerts, as well as looking out for people in vulnerable situations.
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Councillor Kevin Johnston, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Dynamic City, said: “Working closely with partners is a key part of this work and the City Alarm and Emergency Centre has proved it's worth time and time again by providing the city council and our partners with the crucial intelligence needed to help prevent and tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour. The centre’s CCTV cameras also play an important role in helping locate vulnerable and missing people."
Now, after 20 years of being located at Sunderland Civic Centre, the City Alarm and Emergency Centre has found a new home at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters in Washington.
Councillor Johnston added: “We know tackling anti-social behaviour is important to our residents and the City Alarm and Emergency Centre plays a vital role in the wider work that we do to keep our city safe. So, we’re delighted to see it settled into its new base at the Fire Service’s headquarters at Barmston Mere."
The relocation project is a long-term partnership between Sunderland City Council and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
Peter Heath, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are delighted to welcome the City Alarm and Emergency Centre to Washington, and are pleased they have settled in well. It cements the next chapter in our continued partnership with Sunderland City Council, and reinforces our commitment to working with key organisations within Tyne and Wear.”
The CCTV hub works in partnership with the Bernicia Group, Gentoo Group, LMAP, Northumbria Police, Pubwatch, Safer Sunderland Partnership, Shopwatch, the Street Pastors, Sunderland Bid, Sunderland City Council, and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
Chief Superintendent Barrie Joisce, of Northumbria Police, said: “CCTV is a vital resource to policing as it helps us to keep people safe as well as detect, deter and disrupt criminality day in and day out. We will continue to use this technology in collaboration with our partners to protect those who may be vulnerable and deliver effective justice through the crucial evidence it so often provides.”
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