CCTV

Closed circuit television (CCTV) is designed to take measures to prevent and detect street crime such as assault, vehicle theft, drugs offences etc.

The CCTV strategy contributes to the Strategic Plan 2006 – 2011 by supporting the partnership in meeting the key outcomes of a cleaner, safer, greener borough by impacting on the following:

• reduce the fear of crime
• deter and detect crime and provide evidential material for court proceedings
• assist in the overall management of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets public space
• assist the local authority in its enforcement and regulatory functions within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
• enhance public transport services by deterring misuse of bus lanes and so reducing delays and increasing reliability of time tables
• reduce the cost of repairs as a result of vandalism, criminal damage or any other consequential indiscretions
• assist in supporting civil proceedings which will help detect crime
• provide effective protective surveillance of council staff going about their lawful business
• ensure the safe and efficient operation of the road network through the detection of any breach of traffic and parking regulations
• detect any acts of anti-social behaviour.

Tower Hamlets councils CCTV control centre opened in March 2006 and has been developing rapidly since. There are about 350 street cameras in the borough and 70 are on view at any given time.

The council work with the Metropolitan Police, Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and other law enforcement agencies to site and monitor CCTV in the borough.

CCTV operators are on duty 24 hours a day and regularly sequence through cameras or areas to ensure a spread of viewing and certain areas are monitored more closely than others at different times of the day.

For further information contact:

CCTV Manager

Tower Hamlets Town Hall
160 Whitechapel Road
London
E1 1BJ

Tel: 020 7364 0515
Email: cctv@towerhamlets.gov.uk