Is Cirencester's CCTV up to scratch? Debate breaks out between Cotswold MP and town council

MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has criticised the new CCTV system in Cirencester, after three boys were arrested for allegedly firing an air rifle out of a window in a residential area last year – an incident which was not caught on camera.

A new CCTV network was installed in Cirencester last year, with 17 cameras in the town centre which can zoom in, provide still images and record video, and cost the town council more than £60,000, with savings of £10,000 each year.

But Mr Clifton-Brown questioned why there was not a camera in North Home Road, where the alleged air rifle incident took place, which is outside of the town centre.

“I think the public will be dismayed that with all the advances in technology we have an inferior system all these years later after the original one was installed,” he said.

Chief executive at Cirencester Town Council, Andrew Tubb, hit back at the MP's comments and said the new system was high quality and reduced the risk of crime.

Responsibility for the original decade-old CCTV system was transferred to the town council from Cotswold District Council (CDC) in August 2012.

The new system is monitored live by staff for about 3,000 hours per year.

Mr Tubb said: “Even if we don’t have someone watching it live, if a camera goes down our maintenance team will know and respond.

“It is generally monitored at peak times, and is always recording. The police have full access to the system.”

An extra £5,000 was set aside this year to go towards community safety, and the town council is considering buying a mobile CCTV camera which police could use in various areas of Cirencester when needed.

Mr Tubb added: “CCTV only covers the town centre. We could not have a camera in every street.

"However, these mobile cameras mean we can respond effectively if the police need support.”

The council could provide police officers with mobile tablets this summer, so they can access live CCTV images at any time.