Camera to keep an eye on Westville

WESTVILLE residents have joined forces with Blue Security and installed a CCTV surveillance camera in a strategic spot to help fight crime in the suburb.

Karen Roscoe, chairman of the Chiltern Park Neighbourhood Watch, said residents had enlisted the help of Blue Security’s special projects department to develop a security solution for the suburb, which had recently been hit by a spate of housebreakings.

Roscoe said residents had opted to install Blue Security’s Eye-in-the-Sky street surveillance camera on the corner of Duncan and Blairgowrie roads where it could monitor pedestrian and vehicle traffic into and out of the suburb.

The camera was strategically placed near a point of access to the M19 highway, which is often used by fleeing criminals.

“The point of the camera is that it’s a deterrent. We want to try and keep track of people who come into and out of the neighbourhood. We are really grateful to all of the residents of the neighbourhood for taking an interest in enhancing the security of the suburb and to Blue Security for their support in setting up the camera. We hope to continue a fruitful relationship going forward,” Roscoe said.

Stephen Wimborne, manager of Blue Security’s special projects department said the neighbourhood would benefit from the additional layer of security provided by the surveillance camera.

He said residents had pooled their resources to erect the camera.

“The system’s state-of-the-art wireless interface allows control centre operators to remotely log into the cameras at regular intervals and conduct “virtual patrols” of the area,” Wimborne said.

“Intelligence of any suspicious activity is then reported directly to the nearest Blue Security reaction officer on the ground for investigation.”

Wimborne said the cameras record activity 24 hours a day and footage can be used as evidence in the event of an incident and handed to the police for investigative purposes.