Thame incidents monitored by CCTV on the increase

THE latest report showing how the district council’s CCTV cameras have contributed towards deterring crime, reducing the fear of crime, increasing crime detection and protecting vulnerable people in the district, has recently been published.

Image for illustrative purposes only

The total number of CCTV supported incidents for Thame for the six month period October 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, stood at 277 – up by 93, compared to the previous 6-month period. This latest report includes outcomes of 13 arrests and two Section 34 orders (allows the police to move someone from a specified area for a period of up to 48 hours if they believe the person poses a risk of anti-social related disorder). There are also seven ‘other’ incidents counted (‘other’ usually means that the police either gave verbal advice or a non-recordable sanction).  

Of the most commonly monitored types of incidents in Thame, 18 were for Missing Persons, 17 for Fear of Welfare and 13 for Fighting or Affray.

Examples of Thame incidents involving CCTV

A CCTV operator heard of an altercation taking place in the High Street and was able to monitor the situation while police were on route. The operator continued to monitor as the situation deteriorated. Altogether, two men were detained for resisting arrest and one for assaulting a police officer. The operator subsequently produced an evidence pack to assist the police in following up this incident. 

The police control centre requested the operator to look out for a man who had shoplifted from a local supermarket and attempted to steal a bike. From the description given, the operator was able to locate the man and guided officers as they arrived at the location. The man was subsequently arrested. 

A call had come into the police control centre – staff in a local supermarket had concerns for a man who seemed confused and finding it difficult to cope with his shopping. Having heard the description given on air, the operator was able to alert officers attending to the exact location of the person they thought was the man in question. Having established that this was indeed the man, officers were able to spend some time with him. Satisfied that he was all in order, they were able to help him on his way. 

How many cameras?

The report covers the four towns that have had CCTV installed; Thame (15 cameras) Didcot (nine cameras), Henley-on-Thames (20 cameras) and Wallingford (13 cameras). Reports are provided on a half yearly basis to each town council and other stakeholders.

The CCTV operators, based in Abingdon, supported in total 930 incidents during the period, across the district, 54 evidence packs for possible court proceedings and carried out 40 reviews of CCTV footage (a review is undertaken as a result of a written request) as well as supporting 58 arrests.   

To read the full report, which includes comparisons with the other three South Oxfordshire towns, Henley, Didcot and Wallingford, visit http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/community-advice-and-support/community-safety/cctv 
and click on the download on the right hand side.