Call for fully operational CCTV in Killyleagh

Call for fully operational CCTV in Killyleagh

2 September 2020

POLICE and community chiefs are to be asked to work together to ensure that Killyleagh’s CCTV system is fully operational to help deter crime and anti-social behaviour in the town.

There are a total of eight cameras — erected by the Killyleagh Development Association —  with the control centre which monitors them located at the top of High Street.

Rowallane councillor, Billy Walker, who lives in Killyleagh, is keen to see the security cameras fully operational and plans to discuss this at the next meeting of the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP).

He says it is his understanding that the security cameras are not working and hopes that the issue can be addressed as soon as possible.

Cllr Walker says it is “critically important” that the cameras are working to act as a deterrent and dissuade people from getting involved in crime and a range of anti-social behaviour.

Significantly, he believes that if the CCTV system was fully operational, it would have allowed police to identify those responsible for a spate of recent incidents, including an arson attack on a former cafe, criminal damage at the town’s harbour walkway and the removal of five wreaths from the War Memorial located at the side of Killyleagh castle.

“As far as I am aware, Newry, Mourne and Down Council is not responsible for the cameras in Killyleagh, but perhaps this is an issue worth exploring,” continued Cllr Walker.

“What is the point of having a CCTV system which doesn’t work? The cameras should act as a deterrent and for that to be effective they must be fully operational.”

Cllr Walker said when the security system was put in place, local politicians were allowed access to the control room to see just how effective the cameras were in identifying people.

“The system was impressive, but it must work 24 hours a day. I hope that when I raise the issue at the next PCSP meeting that the questions around its operation will be answered.”

Cllr Walker said that one of the security cameras polices an area which includes the former Walkingshaw’s cafe which was destroyed in a malicious blaze blaze in June.

“We need to find out the current situation in relation to the CCTV system, is it working or not? I suspect it’s the latter and if this is true we need to act,” he continued.

He said he was aware that the local authority was seeking to commit tens of thousands of pounds of ratepayers’ money to upgrading the district’s CCTV systems but was unsure if this remained the case, given the impact of Covid-19 on its finances.

“Many of the old systems were analog and need to be upgraded to new digital technology,” he continued. “There are already CCTV cameras in Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch and maybe if there is a new management regime for them all, Killyleagh could be included in that.

“We can’t allow a situation to continue with security cameras working in some towns but not in others. If we want to help police apprehend people who break the law, including those who allow their animals to foul in public places, then we need to have all the cameras working, including those in Killyleagh.”

Cllr Walker said the wider district required an “ultra-modern security camera system to help police bring those who break the law to court”.

He added: “I am unaware that those involved in recent criminal and activity in Killyleagh were identified via the town’s CCTV system. I suspect that this is not the case and those who have the power to address this issue must do so immediately. The people of Killyleagh deserve nothing less.”