More than 20,000 join police CCTV evidence database

West Midlands Police said the database has already helped them solve major crimes in Coventry

More than 20,000 people have signed up with police in the West Midlands to provide CCTV and doorbell footage for a force database.

The new technology allows people to add their cameras to a secure map of CCTV monitors, enabling officers to quickly identify ones that may have captured evidence at a crime scene nearby.

West Midlands Police set up the scheme in response to the fact thousands of offenders have been brought to justice every year through using such evidence

The force added 20,300 people had signed up to the scheme, set up in September 2024, and they had already helped solve major crimes in Coventry.

West Midlands Police are one of only two police forces in the UK who have started using such a system.

Those who sign up to the database receive a text or email when a crime has happened close to their home or business.

The owner can then send images via a secure link to help officers identify criminals, or trace victims and witnesses - and ultimately enable crimes to be solved faster.

"As part of the development of this system, we consulted with community groups who, like us, could see the benefits in making neighbourhoods safer and were confident in the system's security layers," the force said.

Sharing recordings with the force does not mean people would have to attend court, it added.

A version of the system has been used in parts of the US for some time.