CCTV security cameras in Burnham-On-Sea are being upgraded and a new camera is set to be trialled in Highbridge’s Market Street to help tackle anti-social behaviour, it has been announced this week.
Sedgemoor District Council is upgrading several of CCTV cameras in Burnham High Street, B&M Car Park, Love Lane, Victoria Street, The Esplanade, Manor Gardens and Marine Drive, plus Highbridge’s Church Street.
The Town Council annually contributes £15,000 towards Sedgemoor District Council’s CCTV cameras in both Burnham and Highbridge.
“The CCTV system itself has been problematic and has suffered some faulty hardware/old analogue cameras,” said the Town Council Clerk in a report to councillors this week.
“SDC is in the process of replacing the faulty and old hardware. The improvements to the video management system (the operating system), are almost complete and will enable better operation. Burnham is the first location to be upgraded.”
In a bid to support efforts to address anti-social behaviour in Market Street, it was also proposed that a month-long trial of an additional CCTV camera be undertaken. It will be supplied by Sedgemoor at no extra charge to the Town Council.
During this week’s council meeting, Cllr Louise Parkin welcomed the extra camera in Highbridge’s Market Street, saying the safety of residents is “incredibly important” and adding that some locals and businesses feel “vulnerable” there in the evenings.
It was noted in the council’s report that seven of Burnham’s eleven CCTV cameras were not working in May.
However, all but one of the cameras was due to be working again by the end of September.
