Tain CCTV review

Residents in Tain are being invited to comment on proposals to improve the town’s CCTV system and to let officials know how they think Community Safety in the town could be improved in future.

The Highland Council and Northern Constabulary have been working in partnership to look at options for improving the current CCTV system in Tain and need the community to let them know what they think of the suggestions they are putting forward before a report is put to The Highland Council’s Resources Committee later in the year for final consideration.

The Tain CCTV system was installed in 2003 following a successful funding bid by the Tain Initiative Group.  The system aims to help prevent and detect crime and anti-social behaviour; to create a safe environment for the public by attempting to reduce crime and the fear of crime; and to provide high quality evidence to the Police if crime occurs.

Carol Elliot, Tain and Easter Ross Ward Manager, said it is important the community let us know which of the options being proposed they support.

“The group looking at improvements has put forward a number of options such as upgrading the cabling, replacing the cameras and improving the lighting where cameras are, and it is important we find out which option the community supports,” she said.

“As well as suggestions for upgrading equipment and infrastructure we think the town would benefit if one of the current camera locations is changed.  We are suggesting that the camera that is on the corner of Geanies Street and Stafford Street is relocated further along Stafford Street on its junction with Shandwick Street to allow us to cover the St Duthac Centre, the Filling Station and an entrance to a local school,” she added.

Sergeant Keith Robb, Northern Constabulary, explained that they are only looking at improvements to the current system and not at adding more cameras at the moment. 

“We thought while conduction this consultation we would also ask people what they think should be done in future to improve Community Safety generally in Tain,” he added.

More information on the consultation can be found on The Highland Council web site at http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/yourward/ward08/wardforum/,
at the Tain Service Point or at the Tain Police Station.  Local residents and businesses are invited to comment on the options by Tuesday 12 May 2009 using the feedback form provided.

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