Police plan major CCTV increase

Monday 23 November 2015

Police are planning a big increase in CCTV cameras around town – including new cameras outside courts and States buildings to protect politicians and judges.

The proposals, published this morning, would see nine new cameras put into positions, mostly around town.

In a report setting out a consultation on their plan, the police say that with the terrorism risk at "severe" there is a chance that politicians and courts could become a target.

In a report addressing the need for cameras pointed at the States building, courts and States offices, the police say: "The national terrorism risk assessment is currently set at 'Severe', meaning that an attack is highly likely. Key political or judicial institutions may present as a target. Persons can also become fixated with key figures. We believe the case for a camera in this position is very strong indeed."

The news comes a month after a new “Caught on Camera” scheme was launched, for police to post CCTV stills of people they want to find in relation to various offences.

The scheme has been a success already – a 41-year-old man is due at a Parish Hall Inquiry soon after being identified by people looking at the CCTV stills.

You can see the latest set of pictures on the police website.

If the new plans are approved, there will be new cameras at Hill Street to cover the States building and Royal Court and the States offices at Cyril Le Marquand House, as well as other locations including David Place, Parade Gardens, the Millennium Town Park and West’s Centre.

Out-of-town cameras would also be placed in St Aubin and Gorey.

A police statement said: “Officers are now looking at the camera network, to ensure that it satisfies the current profile of incidents across the Island and where appropriate, amendments have been recommended to future proof the system.

“Following a period of incident and crime analysis and discussion with numerous official partners, the Force are looking to move a number of our existing cameras and to install new ones. However before any final decisions are made, officers would like to offer the public the opportunity to comment on the proposals.”

You can see the full plans here.