Blackpool to Launch Talking CCTV

Blackpool youngsters are helping to launch a new ‘talking CCTV’ campaign in the town centre in an effort to further curb anti-social behaviour.

Ten of the town’s existing CCTV cameras will be installed with tailor-made audio equipment that has the potential to broadcast key crime and community safety messages, as well publicly embarrass people for unacceptable behaviour, such as litter dropping.

Blackpool is one of only 20 of the recently announced Respect Action Areas that has successfully secured the funding (£25,000) to carry out the new project. And as part of the new campaign, BSafe Blackpool is enlisting the support of local primary and secondary school pupils to suggest what some of the key messages ought to be.

Their ‘pester power’ can be used in a positive way to tell the grown-ups what behaviour they want to see, and what they don’t. 

Youngsters from six schools* are taking part in a competition to produce iPod messages that complement the Respect agenda – a key theme of which is promoting good behaviour and challenging bad.

The overall winning child/group of children will be given a tour of the CCTV control room at Blackpool Police station and will become the first voice to use the newly installed audio/CCTV system at its launch sometime in May. In addition, BSafe Blackpool will donate a new iPod for use by the winner’s school.

Paolo Pertica, Head of BSafe Blackpool, said: “We are thrilled to have secured the funding to launch this new scheme, which will be a boost to the many tools and powers we already have to tackle anti-social behaviour in all its forms.

“Talking CCTV’ will act as a wake-up call to the minority of members of the public who blight our communities by acting anti-socially, and inform the offenders ‘real time’ that their actions are being monitored and to stop what they are doing.

“We are looking forward to working with children and youngsters as part of this campaign. Children are too often criticised these days for their attitude. The majority, however, behave well themselves and recognise the bad behaviour of others both young and old. “

The town centre CCTV cameras have, for many years, worked to good effect in tackling street drinking, noise nuisance, criminal damage and public disorder. The additional audio will provide further reassurance to residents, visitors and businesses, both day-time and night-time, who want a clean and afe place to live, work and visit.

The new CCTV equipment follows the news in January this year when Blackpool was announced as one of the UK’s 40 new Respect Action Areas. The selection is designed to help unlock additional funding and support, enabling community leaders to further tackle the problems of anti-social behaviour and further target residents’ needs.

Louise Casey, Head of Home Office Taskforce said: “We want to remind people about what is, and is not, respectful behaviour and we are encouraging children to send this clear message to grown ups – act anti-socially and face the shame of being publicly embarrassed. We hope that perpetrators will think twice before doing it again.

“The new funding for Talking CCTV is aimed at the small minority who think it is acceptable to litter our streets, vandalise our communities and damage our properties. We all pay council tax so in the end we all pay when our communities are disrespected – both in our pockets as well as in our daily lives.”

*The schools that are working with Blackpool Council’s Children Service’s Department and BSafe Blackpool are:

Anchorsholme Primary School

Marton Primary School

St Cuthbert’s Primary School

Thames Primary School

Beacon Hill Secondary School