CCTV cameras are to be introduced at Highbridge’s Household Waste Recycling Centre in June in a bid to make it safer and securer.
The cameras will be installed during the week commencing 5th June and will monitor traffic movements at the centre to act as a deterrent to businesses who are illegally depositing commercial waste at the expense of council taxpayers.
Somerset County Councillor Hazel Prior-Sankey, who is also Portfolio Holder for Transport and Waste, said it is important to monitor the centre to ensure the safety of both the public and the site staff.
She told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We take the safety of all the people that are on the sites very seriously and the cameras will allow us to ensure that our high standards of heath and safety are constantly maintained.”
“The cameras will act as a safeguard against any illegal activates, such as break-ins and will aim to reduce the amount of commercial waste, as the sites are provided for household waste only.”
The cameras will be introduced to 16 of the Household Waste Recycling Centres across Somerset, which are operated by Wyvern Waste Services.
Steve Palfrey, Group Manager for Waste Services at the County Council, reassured the public that the use of the cameras will be of benefit and that householders can carry on recycling as normal.
“This system is only accessible by key personnel within Waste Services and has been created in line with all the relevant Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation.”
“Some of the larger sites will have an automatic number plate recognition system in order to accurately chart patterns of site use. This will help us to identify people using the centres illegally, such as traders, and provide evidence should legal action be taken.”
“All the registration plate data will be processed within a month of recording and only those related to potential commercial waste deposits or site abuse issues will be kept as evidence. All other specific data will be deleted within the month.”
“We get some strange and occasionally potentially dangerous materials entering the centres, including firearms and explosives, and this new system will help us keep a closer eye on them to make sure people can continue to recycle easily and safely.”
RELATED LINKS:
Highbridge Recycling Centre recognised as best in the country
Refuse and recycling points in Burnham and Highbridge
