Sussex PCC denies CCTV could be switched off

There is concern over the rising cost of providing CCTV cameras across Sussex

The Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner has denied the county’s CCTV could be switched off from April.

Katy Bourne was questioned during a meeting of the Police & Crime Panel about problems with the renewal of a contract with service provider BT.

According to a police spokesman, BT has only offered a one-year fixed price contract rather than the three-year contract which had been expected.

Ms Bourne said an inspector was working on the issue full-time and that "nobody’s going to get switched off".

The meeting also heard a "significant price increase" was forecast on the £250,000 per year already being paid, due to upgrades being made to the circuit technology.

Ms Bourne said: “The contract is BT’s. If they decide they don’t want to renew, they don’t have to renew – we can’t force them.

“They’ve agreed a price. It’s their price and we can’t afford it, effectively.

“My understanding, having spoken with the team in Sussex Police, is that nobody’s going to get switched off, so let’s just allay that concern.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has promised that CCTV cameras across the county will not be switched off

She suggested some members of the CCTV partnership could help out others who could not afford the new contract but "that would be a decision for the partnership to make".

A police spokesman added: “The future operating model for the area of business is currently under discussion and Sussex Police is working to support partners by exploring new ways to deliver this service.”

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