The councils existing PTZ security cameras have been operating for more than 16 years and are fast becoming obsolete. Following consultations it was decided to roll out a programme to replace each of the units with MIC Series cameras from Bosch. To date, three MIC Series 400 cameras have been installed in Grimsby town centre and a further nine existing security cameras are due to be replaced with Bosch‘s new MIC Series 500’s in the Spring.

As well as the new security cameras, the council is also installing a direct link from Grimsby Police Station into its new digital recording system, this will allow the images from each security camera to be retrieved more quickly should the Police require evidence to support a conviction; a process that used to take hours can now be completed in seconds. The quality of the images captured by the MIC Series security cameras has already made identifying offenders far quicker and easier and therefore more useful to the Police.

The replacement scheme is being funded jointly by the council and the Balfour Beatty‘s Workplace Partnership, as a spokesman explains: “We have 147 security cameras operating in North East Lincolnshire, and we monitor a total of 161 cameras throughout the borough. Initially we are installing nine new Bosch’s MIC Series security cameras which have been chosen over other options due to their reliable performance and tough, vandal resistant construction that ensures little or no maintenance is required. They are easy to install which reduces the time and cost involved in setting-up and commissioning the camera. Since installing the three security cameras we have now, we have had no failures reported.”

Security cameras have been installed in areas such as Grimsby Town Centre, Freeman Street and Cleethorpes. Waltham has seven cameras that are operated by the Parish Council; there is an option within the project to allow these cameras to be linked to North East Lincolnshire Council’s system. The Council is also planning to install three more security cameras in Immingham town centre.

From April last year, the cameras recorded a total of 440 incidents including 143 assaults, 150 thefts and 27 acts of vandalism, of which 184 were reviewed by Police. It is hoped the improved image quality and easy access to footage will significantly increase this conviction rate.