New and upgraded CCTV across London
More than 300 new cameras are now providing higher quality images installed across the capital in effort to tackle crime
A wide-ranging upgrade of CCTV across London has been rolled out as part of the mayor’s Connected London programme. The more than 300 new or upgraded cameras will provide clearer footage, enabling the Metropolitan Police to better pursue and prosecute criminals.
Photo by Seb Doe
The upgrade has been possible following £30m investment through the Connected London which has provided full-fibre coverage in harder-to-reach parts of the capital, undertaken part of wider efforts to improve digital public services and make London safer for everyone.
As well as the CCTV cameras, new sensors have also been installed to monitor air quality and better monitor traffic congestion. London’s councils will also be able to use the new infrastructure to monitor town centres and high streets with the aim of enhancing public safety.
Merton Council has already used the investment to upgrade fibre connectivity to support the installation of 55 new cameras. This has increased reliability of the CCTV network, improved incident response times and cut running costs, which in turn has mean resources can be allocated to other community safety initiatives.
The measures are in line with the A New Met for London two-year local neighbourhood policing plan and efforts to further reduce crime rates. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) already show that the rate of violent crime in London is lower than in the rest of England and Wales.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, says: ‘As a thriving global city, it’s essential our capital’s digital infrastructure is kept fully updated so I’m pleased that an investment of £30m from City Hall is ramping up full fibre connectivity across London. New and upgraded CCTV cameras will produce sharper images that will help local authorities, Transport for London (TfL) and crucially for the Met police improve safety for everyone after dark and present stronger evidence in criminal trials. I’m committed to working with the police, partners and businesses to improve security in our transport networks, high streets, and town centres to create a safer London for everyone.’
Commander Owain Richards from the Metropolitan Police adds: ‘We welcome these improvements which will give our officers the tools they need to crackdown on crime and bring perpetrators to justice. The Met will continue to work with the mayor and partners so we can improve CCTV across the capital and ultimately make London a safer place.’
Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer at TfL, says: ‘It’s great that our work with Boldyn Networks to utilise our network to provide new fibre connectivity across London is already delivering tangible benefits for Londoners. We’re committed to working with boroughs to improve connectivity across the city, which will support growth opportunities and help deliver better use of digital technology for all.’
In related news:
Information Commissioner publishes review of two-year public sector technology trial
8 recommendations for correcting the UK’s regional tech imbalance
Leave a Reply