New CCTV will be installed in Eastleigh following the Police and Crime Commissioner’s announcement of new funding.
A cash injection of £50,000 will enable Eastleigh Borough Council to replace 51 outdated cameras with new ones.
Plans to scrap old CCTV cameras in the town centre and Hedge End, and replace them with 15 modern ones, were revealed last year.
The decision was not welcomed by high street business owners who feared the “ridiculous” move would lead to an increase in crime in the area.
In recent months, the council then said it would not replace the old cameras.
However, following concerns from residents and the police, the borough council submitted a case to the commissioner Donna Jones asking for funding to replace the cameras.
During the commissioner’s oversight of policing services session, where residents have the opportunity to raise questions and concerns in their community, Mrs Jones announced the approval of the funding for the cameras.
The council has not yet decided where the cameras will be installed, or how many will be put in place.
Following a question from a resident asking about the future of the cameras, Mr Jones said, “The good news is it’s not going! It’s going to be upgraded.
“As you know, I offered 50,000 pounds to the local authority, Eastleigh Borough Council, who submitted a bid about a month ago. I’ve approved it, and they are going to be upgrading those cameras.”
The funding, Mrs Jones said, will make the town centre “significantly safer”.
She said: “It really does help having CCTV, we know that, not only is it a deterrent for people who want to commit crimes in and around the town centre, but when incidents happen, it’s a brilliant tool for the police to carry out investigations and very often identify people.
“So yes, the CCTV is going to remain, which is really good news and thanks to the council working partnership.”
A spokesperson from Eastleigh Borough Council said: “We’re pleased to be working with the OPCC to deliver a more modern and effective approach to town centre monitoring, which will follow the decommissioning of the current obsolete system that is no longer fit for purpose.
“We are grateful for the new funding, which is vital given the police lead role on community safety that we are keen to continue to support, and we will be working through the details over the coming weeks.”
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