CCTV catches 20,000 offenders

By [rwheeler]

More than 20,000 arrests have been made thanks to Lincoln's CCTV cameras, according to new figures.

The camera control centre housed in city hall is continuing to protect and serve city residents 12 years after it was launched.

Scenes ranging from violent confrontations to petty theft have been captured on the 124 cameras placed around Lincoln with areas including Monks Road and the Carlton Centre monitored round the clock.

But the service has developed beyond its initial aim of catching criminals in the act.

Statistics revealed to the Echo by City of Lincoln Council highlights the role played by CCTV in other areas of daily life.

In the last four years camera operators have been responsible for identifying 1,728 incidents which required ambulances, 335 needing fire crews and also dealt with 2,652 traffic issues.

Almost 1,500 missing children and adults have been tracked by the cameras while 1,924 health and safety issues have been spotted around the city.

CCTV manager Shane Harrison said: "The cameras provide information but the whole system is a partnership between groups including Lincolnshire police and Lincoln BIG.

"Whenever we expand the system into a new area, the level of crime will go up. But that is because no-one knew what crime was taking place before."

To find out more about the cameras and what they have been used for see Tuesday's Lincolnshire Echo.