Efforts to make Worksop a safer place continue to take shape after three more CCTV refuge points were installed for people to use if they feel unsafe, threatened, or need urgent help.
The refuge points work by connecting the person in need of assistance with the Council’s CCTV control room operatives, who can contact the emergency services where necessary.
Located on Bridge Street, Victoria Square and The Canch, it is hoped that the introduction of these additional cameras will act as a deterrent and an increase a sense of safety for people visiting the town centre and the Canch.
The work has been made possible after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured £3 million of Safer Streets funding, which is used for projects that help reduce neighbourhood crime and antisocial behaviour, as well as violence against women and girls. These are being delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire Police and local authorities, including Nottingham City Council.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said the additional refuge point cameras are a game changer for tackling crime and antisocial behaviour in Bassetlaw.
“It’s brilliant to hear that residents are already benefitting from the extended security offered by the refuge point cameras across Bassetlaw, made possible by Safer Streets,” she said.
“These devices are simple to use yet offer people a direct connection with the control room staff who can ensure help is on its way to you sooner.
“There’s nothing worse than feeling unsafe when out and about, and this is something that we are dedicated to tackling through the Safer Streets programme in Bassetlaw and across the county.”
The refuge points were installed following feedback from residents as part of community safety questionnaires and a multi-agency environmental visual audit. These areas, central to the District’s night-time economy were also identified as hot spots for antisocial behaviour in data from the Council and Nottinghamshire Police.
There are now a total of nine refuge points within Bassetlaw, located at:
- High Hoe Road, Worksop
- Blyth Road, Worksop
- Devonshire Street / Newcastle Avenue, Worksop
- Priorswell Road, Worksop
- Gateford Road / Babbage Way, Worksop
- Victoria Square, Worksop
- Bridge Street, Worksop
- The Canch, Worksop
- Grove Street, Retford (funded by a grant from the office of the Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner)
When activated, recording begins automatically and CCTV operators can use the pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) camera to capture evidence. They can also use the two-way radio to communicate with the caller and assess their situation.
The refuge point feature three cameras – one within the help point, a fixed CCTV camera located 2.5 meters from the ground that records on approach and provides an overview of the street and surrounding area, and a PTZ camera that will record and track incidents in addition to providing a light source.
It also has a two-way radio function that enables users to speak to Control Room Staff. Should communication be lost or cut-off by a potential attacker, operators have the ability to dial back to the help point. The refuge point is also equipped with an LED illuminated sign which uses photocell technology to turn on as it becomes dark, reducing the need for timers. The refuge points at Bridge Street, Victoria Square and The Canch are also equipped with hearing loops.
Cllr Lynne Schuller, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at Bassetlaw District Council said: “I am really pleased to have this initiative available within our District, enabling people to feel safer within our streets. Alongside a range of projects we are actively prioritising community safety.”
Chris Catchpole, Director of SSC Specialist Security Ltd who has more than 25 years’ experience in surveillance camera design, said: “We are really proud to work with Bassetlaw District Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner to bring this innovative scheme to Bassetlaw.
“Essentially, we have amalgamated a range of technologies to create a one-off design for this project which gives women or girls another way of reaching out for help when they feel vulnerable or under immediate threat. These cameras have the potential of changing the way we protect our communities in the future and so we are anticipating significant interest as a result of this project.”
Posted on Tuesday 8th August 2023