Police pull CCTV funding in several districts

The PSNI says it can no longer fund CCTV cameras like this

The police have pulled funding for CCTV cameras in several parts of Northern Ireland.

The total figure is unclear but the chairman of the Police Federation - which represents rank-and-file officers - told the BBC's North West Today it could be in the region of £1m.

In Derry City and Strabane District alone, the figure is £75,000 and this will end on 31 March. Police in Fermanagh and Omagh are withdrawing £34k.

Area commander, Ch Supt Gillian Kearney, said it was "regrettable" and the result of financial pressures facing the police.

Ch Supt Gillian Kearney says the cut to CCTV funding is regrettable

"We recognise the value of CCTV, and the reassurance they can bring to the community, however, it is impossible to ignore the challenges facing the wider police service in terms of budget and resources," she said.

“The reality is the strategic outlook for policing remains stark. The police budget remains insufficient and is not sustainable.

“Difficult decisions have had to be taken to preserve core function and, unfortunately, the ability to contribute towards funding of city centre CCTV in Derry City & Strabane, as well as in other districts across the police service, is an example of this."

Chair of the police federation, Liam Kelly, said the decision to cut funding came as no surprise and they had warned that measures like this were inevitable.

"This is something that I've been warning about for some time," he said, "that the PSNI were going to have to make difficult decisions to preserve their core functions.

"The problem that we have at the moment is that the PSNI is struggling, it's in crisis and it needs significant investment."

Aodhán Roberts sustained facial injuries in a city-centre attack

Aodhán Roberts was the victim of what he called an unprovoked attack in the Foyle street area of Derry city centre on 5 November 2023.

Mr Roberts told the BBC's North West Today programme that CCTV cameras in the area need to be upgraded if they are to be more effective in catching criminals.

The Belfast Telegraph journalist was left with serious physical injuries after the attack but said he had also been mentally-scarred.

Four months on, no one has been convicted in relation to the attack.

Aodhán Roberts with a bloodied eye after the attack on Foyle Street

"The police have said the CCTV shows the individual alleged to have been responsible for this attack but the police have been unable to identify this suspected offender," he told the BBC's North West Today programme.

"I struggled with sleepless nights, anxiety and paranoia since the assault. I just find myself always looking over my back.

"The actual assault itself wasn't captured on camera. There's a lot of trees on Foyle Street and the view is pretty much blocked, is what I was told.

"They could see, maybe, a bit of a scuffle, but no more than that.

"The only thing they were able to capture was the suspected offender walking away from the area, so is the CCTV effective in my opinion? No, and I think it highlights the need for a review."

In a statement, Derry City and Strabane District Council said: "The loss of any funding always puts additional pressures on services, and council will continue to work with partners to try to secure the resources needed to make up the deficit for the coming year.

"Once again we would like to stress the need for government to provide the necessary support to help Councils and the PSNI protect community safety, whether through CCTV or the Community Safety Warden team who play an integral role in maintaining public order and keeping people safe."