CCTV pilot scheme launched in Holyland
11 March 2010
A CCTV pilot scheme for Belfast`s Holyland area was unveiled today (Thursday).
The initiative, led by Belfast City Council and jointly funded by a number of partner agencies, is aimed at helping to reduce anti-social behaviour as well as reducing crime and fear of crime in the Holyland.
Councillor Pat McCarthy, chairman of the council`s Health and Environmental Services Committee, said: “These plans have been in the pipeline for some time and I`m delighted to be here today to see how real partnership working has delivered, helping to create a Safer Belfast for all.
“The issues associated with the university area, and the Holyland in particular, have been well documented and the launch of this scheme today shows the commitment of Belfast City Council and its partners to work together and pool resources to find practical solutions, and deliver tangible results for residents and the wider community.”
The Holyland area has been chosen to pilot the CCTV cameras and the scheme will then be reviewed after a year, with a view to possibly deploying them in other parts of the city.
As well as helping to tackle anti-social behaviour, it is hoped the scheme will also go some way to addressing alcohol-related crime and hate crime.
The cameras will be managed by Belfast City Council and monitored by the PSNI on a 24/7 basis.
Today`s launch comes ahead of next week`s St Patrick`s Day celebrations and joint efforts to ensure this year`s festivities pass off peacefully and with minimum disruption to residents.
The council along with the universities, police and other agencies have been specifically targeting students with their joint message in the hope that the unfortunate scenes of last year will not be repeated.
Councillor McCarthy said: “Like other major cities around the world, Belfast will be celebrating St Patrick`s Day and we`re encouraging people to come into the city and join in the carnival spirit. We want our festivities to be memorable for the right reasons. We`re appealing to everyone to enjoy themselves but be sensible, and be aware that there are serious consequences for any bad behaviour.
“This year we worked with our partners and did a leaflet drop in the university area to remind students to show consideration for their neighbours. The council is also stepping up its resources; the community safety warden team is being deployed in the area and staff from our noise team will also be available to try to ensure the celebrations pass off peacefully, and that any unruly behaviour can hopefully be nipped in the bud and dealt with by the relevant authority.”
Welcoming the scheme, PSNI South Belfast Area Commander Chief Inspector Trevor O`Neill said the CCTV cameras would be a very effective tool in addressing crime and issues such as on-street drinking and anti-social behaviour which had been plaguing the area.
He said: “Holyland residents are entitled to a good quality of life, just like everybody else. Police have been engaging closely with our partner agencies to address issues that have been interfering with that. We are confident that the cameras will be yet another very helpful tool in ensuring that those set on making other people`s lives a misery in this area will be identified and dealt with robustly.
“On that note, I would like to wish everybody a very happy St. Patrick`s Day – but don`t let it turn into an event that could have serious repercussions for your future.”
Criminal Justice Minister, The Rt Hon Paul Goggins, MP said: “CCTV can help make communities feel safer. The pilot scheme in the university area will reinforce community confidence and will give a real boost to the partnership between the Belfast Community Safety Partnership (CSP) and local residents. It will act as a real deterrent to those who may become involved in anti-social or criminal activity."
Queen`s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Planning and External Relations, Professor Gerry McCormac, said: “Queen`s University welcomes the CCTV pilot scheme being introduced by Belfast City Council. It is a positive step forward in the efforts to ensure a safe and harmonious environment for all residents in the Holyland area.”
Professor Alastair Adair, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Communication and External Affairs at the University of Ulster said: “Our message for this St Patrick`s Day is a simple one: we want our students to enjoy themselves responsibly during this traditional holiday period. But they should also be aware that – in association with our partners – we will not tolerate behaviour which brings the university into disrepute.”
For more information on the CCTV project visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/communitysafety
The CCTV project has been funded and delivered by Belfast City Council and a number of partner agencies: Department of Regional Development, NIO Community Safety Unit, PSNI, NI Housing Executive, Belfast District Policing Partnership and Belfast Community Safety Partnership.
The total cost of the CCTV project is approximately £100,000.
The streets covered by the CCTV cameras are: • College Park Avenue/Carmel Street junction • Agincourt Avenue/Collingwood Avenue junction • Agincourt Avenue/Carmel Street junction • University Avenue/Carmel Street junction • College Park Avenue/Rugby Road junction • Rugby Avenue/Jerusalem Street junction • Agincourt Avenue/Rugby Court junction
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