Public realm CCTV in Lisburn Castlereagh is funded by the Council, with in kind accommodation provided by the PSNI. The monitoring of cameras is currently undertaken by local social enterprise, Citywatch CCTV NI.
Recognising developments in CCTV monitoring, a tender exercise for the future commissioning of the service will be required. In the meantime, an update was provided to Elected Members at the March Regeneration & Growth Committee.
At that meeting, Elected Members agreed, subject to Council ratification, a continued funding package for Citywatch for three months, after being notified of the charity’s intention to wind up. This is with an agreed mutual objective of maintaining CCTV monitoring services during the transition.
The Council is preparing a suite of frequently asked questions to explain the transition and arrangements for service continuation in more detail, which will be published at our earliest opportunity.
A spokesperson said: “We appreciate the service Citywatch has provided for this Council area over the years and we look forward to the new opportunities which will be presented through the graduated change. The efficiencies which have been identified in combining CCTV across the Council Estate will assist the Council in providing continued planned improvements for our ratepayers across all services.”