§ Ross CranstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the impact of CCTV on the level of crime in Dudley town centre and Sedgley. [13969]
§ Mr. DenhamPolice operational experience and various other research studies show that Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) has considerable crime reduction and detection potential, particularly when used as part of a wider strategy.
Under round one of the Crime Reduction Programme CCTV Initiative, the Home Office funded a CCTV scheme in Sedgley town centre costing £25,450 and one in Stafford Street Car Park, Dudley town centre, costing £46,342. These came into operation in December 2000 and January 2001 respectively.
The Home Office has made no formal evaluation of the effectiveness of CCTV in either of these areas. However analysis by the local police suggests that CCTV has contributed to the reduction in recorded crime of 13.6 per cent. in Dudley and 22.8 per cent. in Sedgley between June 2000 and June 2001. There will be a more detailed review of the effectiveness of the Home Office funded schemes after the first full year of operation.