Council earmarks £10,000 for mobile CCTV to fight New Milton crime

CCTV coverage in and around New Milton is set to be enhanced when the town council allocates £10,000 for a new mobile camera.

It is hoped one of the deployable units, being launched soon by New Forest District Council, could help address a shortfall in coverage of the area, particularly in Ashley, and help address concerns of anti-social behaviour and drug offences.

The town council’s amenities committee heard the £10,000 sum for a deployable camera was made up of the £7,000 price for purchasing one and the estimated cost of moving it around. Chairman Cllr Geoffrey Blunden said this money could be taken out of developers’ contributions.

Recalling a recent visit to NFDC’s CCTV control room in Lyndhurst, Cllr Steve Clarke said this showed the high street and recreation ground areas were well covered.

“But we have become more aware in the last 18 months or so that there are some parts that the cameras can’t see,” he said.

“When you think we can deploy anywhere in the parish where we identify issues with anti-social behaviour and drug taking, this could be very helpful.”

Expressing his support for purchasing a deployable camera, Cllr Alan O’Sullivan said he agreed with concerns raised at a recent full town council meeting that New Milton was under-served by CCTV, as previously reported in the A&T.

Some suggestions were made by councillors of possible locations to which the camera could be deployed, including the roof of the rugby club pavilion at Ashley and the train station car park.

However, Cllr Blunden stressed the current discussions were about whether the council should purchase a deployable camera rather than bidding for locations. He explained the locations could be put forward later as part of a business case.

Town mayor Cllr David Rice-Mundy suggested the council could actually spend up to £20,000 on purchasing and deploying two cameras, one of which could be retained in the Ashley area.

But Cllr Clarke argued the council should walk before it runs with the idea and keep to the idea of purchasing one camera initially and then evaluate the benefits.

Members agreed unanimously with Cllr O’Sullivan’s proposal that the amenities committee recommends using £10,000 of developers’ contributions to purchase and deploy one mobile CCTV camera.

“This is yet another tool to ensure that New Milton is a safe and happy place to work, play and enjoy life,” said Cllr Clarke.