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What we do

Our control centre is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. We work to the highest standards. All control centre staff undergo an advanced Disclosure and Barring Check (DBC). A Security Industry Authority (SIA) license [external link] allows staff to operate CCTV cameras for third parties.

Access to the control centre is restricted. Any visits must be arranged in advance.

For more information please contact the CCTV duty manager on 01325 406212.

We coordinate operations with Durham Constabulary and other statutory enforcement partners. Over the years the CCTV operation has proved to be an essential tool in reducing crime and disorder in Darlington. The system makes use of a series of cameras installed at strategic locations in the district. Images are fed back to the control room based in the Town Hall. 

  • We opened December 1994
  • The system began with 37 cameras in the town centre, recording images on VHS tapes.
  • We upgraded the control centre in 2006. Replacing the VHS recording storage system with digital recording storage. We also installed cameras in the parks and Firthmoor/Redhall estates. Taking the total number of cameras to 120.
  • Over the last five years we replaced the old analogue cameras with the latest wireless controlled cameras.
  • We upgraded the camera control equipment and monitor wall in 2017. The upgrade gives an increased viewing area.
  • CCTV monitoring of key council sites became integrated into the control centre. These sites include:
    • the two depots at Allington Way and Lingfield,
    • Feethams MSCP,
    • the Town Hall
    • the Head of Steam museum.
      Taking the total number of cameras monitored by the control centre to over 200.

Over the years the service has changed from only monitoring CCTV. The service is now a true multi-platform package. This is why we refer to the security control centre rather than CCTV.

Cameras are turned off, no one monitors them!

The cameras are recording 24/7 365 days a year. There are always two members of staff on duty at all times, working shifts of eight hours.

  • 06:00hrs - 14:00hrs
  • 14:00hrs - 22:00hrs
  • 22:00hrs - 06:00hrs

The cameras never seem to catch incidents!

The cameras have been instrumental in providing evidence on many occasions. This is not always reported. The release of details and involvement could jeopardise any police investigation.

The Control Centre now provides:

  • call handling service on behalf of Lifeline services
  • management of the public space CCTV system
  • access control system (the rising bollards on Duke Street, North Road and Blackwell Gate
  • out of hours contact centre for all Council sections
  • alarm receiving centre for external/internal clients
  • management of Feethams MSCP access/exit systems and ticket machines
  • emergency contact for off/on street parking
  • emergency contingencies planning and response
  • central hub for shop/pub watch radio communications
  • close working relationship with the police and emergency services
  • monitoring of lone worker systems
  • crime and community safety issues
  • traffic reports to the local radio stations

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