Council wants solution to continue CCTV monitoring

Council leaders and the police are set to work together to "find a solution" to controversial planned changes to a town centre's CCTV.

Warrington Council has proposed to stop live monitoring from the CCTV control room in the town, as part of plans to save £40m.

The move has been criticised by Cheshire Police's chief constable and Denis Matthews from the council said the authority wanted to work with partners so live monitoring could continue.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price said he was working with the council and others to "make sure Warrington has a CCTV service that works well for now and is ready for the future".

The proposals have been controversial and chief constable Mark Roberts said it was "likely" to lead to an increase in crime levels.

Some residents protested outside the authority's full council meeting at Parr Hall in Warrington on Monday.

At the meeting Matthews, who is the council's cabinet member for finance, said it was "understandable" that residents and businesses have concerns.

"CCTV will not be switched off," he said.

"The reduction relates to live monitoring and the equipment after October 2026. We're now willing to work with partners to ensure live monitoring continues."

He said that he and leader Hans Mundry had met with the Police and Crime Commissioner.

"Both Dan Price and the chief constable agree that live monitoring is vital and I look forward to updating the council on this progress over the coming months," said Matthews.

Price said: "We've got the time and space to work through this properly, and it is not going to be switched off. There are absolutely no plans to do that."

He added he was "determined to find a solution that avoids these proposed changes".

"That's why I'm working closely with the council and other willing partners to make sure Warrington has a CCTV service that works well now and is ready for the future," he said.

Cheshire Police said: "Following the recent Warrington Borough Council budget meeting, Cheshire Constabulary and the Police and Crime Commissioner Care look forward to working closely with the local authority to identify a solution to ensure CCTV within the town centre will continue to be monitored and managed."

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