Is CCTV worth it?

THE worth of CCTV cameras in combating crime has been questioned after police revealed burglaries in the Seahaven area were up by more than a third.

New figures for the coastal strip from East Saltdean to Seaford show overall recorded crime was up by four per cent (595 incidents to 617) compared to the same period from April and May last year.

In the same period domestic burglaries were up by 39 per cent (28-46) and break-ins at non-domestic buildings, including businesses, increased by 33 per cent (39-58).

At the Lewes and Seahaven Police Community Consultative Group meeting at Seaford on Tuesday, senior police officers were quizzed about the latest figures and the use of CCTV.

Seaford councillor Les Whittle, who was representing the Association of Local Councils, was concerned cameras were not doing the job for which they were intended. During a recent attack by vandals on Seaford in Bloom floral displays, cameras were found to be pointing the other way.

He told the Express: 'A lot of money is being spent on these cameras, not only by government but by local councils. I do not think they are being put to their maximum use. They are not being used as they should be. There has been a 33 per cent increase in burglary from non-dwellings. I thought that would be one of the things CCTV was supposed to prevent.'

Seahaven Inspector Mark Huff said that cameras were always monitored and that the new crime figures were just a 'snapshot' of the overall year.

However, he was concerned that burglaries had increased. He said: 'Officers are continuing to target prolific offenders. Burglaries over this month and in the last month have decreased.'

Although criminal damage dropped by six per cent the number of incidents of vandalism remained high, falling from 151 to 143 during the two month period.

Theft of vehicles increased by more than a quarter at 27 per cent (22-30).

On the positive side, thefts from vehicles and drug offences both dropped by 30 per cent (79-61 and 13-10 respectively ) and acts of violence, 13 per cent (96-85).

Insp Huff said the Pub Watch scheme was proving a success in Seaford and was being revamped in Newhaven with photographs of know troublemakers circulated among pub managers.

He cited recent swoops on under- age drinkers in Seaford and Peacehaven as successes. 'This seems to have had a massive effect on under- age drinkers in public places.'

But he added: 'It is not possible to put these resources in every weekend.'

It was also revealed that Newhaven and Seaford had new beat mangers whose job it was to forge links with Neighbourhood Watch groups and councils.