Mobile CCTV proves effective for Cumbria Police

A BSIA member’s mobile CCTV technology is proving to be extremely effective for Cumbria Police. The system is being used to help tackle anti-social behaviour in certain hot spot areas across the force’s Northern Command area, specifically Carlisle city centre, and also assists with crowd control on match days.

For the past year the solution has been fitted out in a large CCTV van, which is equipped with dual CCTV controls for the operator and the driver, a 360 degree mast camera and a forward facing camera. Prior to this the solution was used in a van that doubled up as a custody vehicle, which meant if suspects had to be taken to the station, surveillance coverage could be lost. Fortunately this is not an issue with the latest vehicle.

The appearance of the van has an immediate impact because it acts as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour and in the past has been successful with football supporters. On one particular match day a group of Newcastle and Carlisle supporters had arranged to fight outside a pub and as the CCTV van was in the area, it was able to follow the group and capture footage of the activity that followed. This footage was used as evidence and led to a number of successful convictions being made including fines and community service orders.

As well as being used in the city centre, the vehicle has been set up in other hot spots including playing fields to combat underage drinking and also supports the policing of summer carnivals and other community events in outlying areas.