CCTV helps crack down on crime and fly-tipping across Tameside

CCTV cameras are playing a key role in keeping Tameside’s streets safer and cleaner, with more than 162 arrests made so far this year thanks to the borough’s state-of-the-art monitoring network.

The figure is over three times higher than the total arrests linked to CCTV intelligence during the whole of last year, highlighting the growing impact of the council’s investment in surveillance and community safety.

The network, run by Tameside Council’s CCTV team, comprises over 300 cameras keeping watch on town centres, parks, public spaces and council buildings. It is further supported by three mobile cameras, introduced earlier this year to tackle fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas.

Already, the mobile units have helped identify suspected offenders in six fly-tipping cases, demonstrating their value both in catching culprits and acting as a deterrent.

The CCTV Control Room works hand-in-hand with the Community Safety Team and Greater Manchester Police, passing on vital intelligence and evidence that might otherwise be lost. This includes information on drug activity, off-road bike locations, and individuals linked to serious organised crime.

One recent success story saw cameras in Victoria Park, Denton, help to identify suspects involved in an arson attack in the park last month.

CCTV operators also play an important role in welfare cases, so far this year they have located 53 vulnerable or missing people, reuniting them with their families or ensuring they received the care they needed.

Cllr Stephen Homer, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity, praised the team’s vigilance: “It’s fantastic to see our CCTV operations continuing to go from strength to strength and having a huge impact in keeping Tameside safe. Much of this is down to really effective partnership working as well as the hard work and vigilance of the CCTV team in monitoring the network – they are very skilled and almost have a sixth sense for spotting when something is amiss.

“The figures are just a small snapshot of the daily work our CCTV control room team assist with, but they really help to showcase the significant impact they’re having working in close partnership with the police.”

Cllr Laura Boye, Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods, welcomed the success of the mobile units in the battle against fly-tipping: “It’s particularly pleasing to see that the mobile CCTV cameras are having a positive impact on tackling fly-tipping – not only are they helping us to identify and take action against suspected offenders, we believe they can also act as a deterrent to fly-tipping in the first place.

“We’re keeping one step ahead of the fly-tippers and continue to move the cameras around the borough to make the most of their mobility and ability to really target problem areas.

“Our waste enforcement team is very proactive – we issued more fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping than anywhere else in the northwest last year – and the mobile cameras and close work with the CCTV team can only enhance this successful work.”

The council says the CCTV strategy will continue to evolve to support ongoing efforts to reduce crime, tackle environmental offences and keep communities across Tameside safe.