Devizes campaigns to keep cameras rolling

More Devizes businesses need to put their hands in their pockets if the town is to have a CCTV system after March next year.

A business consortium led by Devizes Chamber of Commerce, Devizes Development Partnership, and the Kennet Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses is seeking commitments from local businesses to contribute between £10 and £30 per month for the next three years to keep the cameras rolling.

They need to raise £11,000 of the £22,000 per year required to maintain the system, which is run by a paid part-time manager and staffed by volunteers and is the most economic in Wiltshire. Devizes Town Council has agreed to match fund the remainder.

Richard Jaggs, president of Devizes Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are in sight of securing the future of the system for up to three further years, but it is vital that businesses take action now.”

Since CCTV was introduced to the town incidents of vandalism, criminal damage, shop lifting and anti-social behaviour have been reduced by a third.

Organisers say this has been achieved through proactive co-operation between and communication with the CCTV Control Room, the Storenet radio system, the police and other agencies.

Until recently the system, run by the Devizes Development Partnership, was jointly funded by Devizes Town Council and the former Kennet District Council with donations from some local businesses.

Wiltshire Council has declined to continue with financial support, fearing that it would be expected to foot the bill for CCTV schemes across the county.

For more information, or to make a contribution, log on to www.devizeschamber.org.uk/cctv.php

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