Council Hails Latest CCTV Success
26//01/06 - CAR park crime across Darlington has almost been wiped out, according to record new figures published this week.
Only eight incidents occurred throughout the whole of 2005, compared to a dozen cases in the previous year.
The latest police statistics mean that less than one motorist per month fell victim to criminals - thanks to the presence of round-the-clock CCTV surveillance provided by Darlington Borough Council.
The Authority first introduced the system, which is linked to a central control room, in 1994 and more than £1.5m has been invested since then.
The system now incorporates 130 cameras and has been expanded to provide services for the Wear Valley and Darlington Railway Station.
The scheme’s success has won both local and national plaudits, and the latest figures have been warmly welcomed.
Bill Dixon, Darlington Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Public Protection, said: “I am absolutely delighted with these figures, which represent yet another success for Darlington’s CCTV system.
“There has been a continual decline in the number of crimes committed in our car parks since the system was introduced. We have added more cameras and taken on extra responsibility, which makes this even more impressive.”