A survey of Australian councils reveals an increasing number operate at least one CCTV system.
The Australian Institute of Criminology conducted an online, voluntary survey of every council in the country last year to assess how closed circuit television systems are being used.
More than 220 councils joined in, including Whittlesea council, which has a number of CCTV cameras connected for security purposes.
The report found that councils are increasingly using CCTV systems as a crime prevention measure, and they are becoming a common fixture in urban areas, in shopping centres, individual shops, banks, on public transport and in carparks.
Fifty-seven per cent of all councils reported having a CCTV system in operation in 2014, while another 12 per cent said they didn’t have one but planned to install one in the future.
Whittlesea council infrastructure manager Peter Ali said CCTV cameras are used for internal security purposes at the civic centre, at TRAC, community activity centres and at the Thomastown library. Most cameras were installed following vandalism or a break-in.
He said the council did not, however, have any external cameras, such as in busy streets or carparks, and said “there are no plans to do otherwise at this point.”
While Hume council did not participate in the survey, it has a significant number of CCTV systems in place at leisure centres, car parks and, most recently, in Sunbury’s CBD.
The Sunbury system was installed with a state government grant and 20 cameras were switched on in April last year in a bid to deter would-be offenders and solve crimes. Residents and businesses were recently asked for their feedback on the system.
Last month, Star Weekly reported that police and businesses believe the cameras help pinpoint offences and boost perceptions of safety.
Cameras are located at the Brook and Evans streets intersection, Brook Street newsagency, Evans Arcade, O’Shannassy Street and at the corner of Evans Street and Gap Road. Footage is monitored from Sunbury police station.
Hume council’s Margarita Caddick said there are no plans to expand the council’s CCTV coverage.
