CCTV cameras help in fight against crime

Contractors install Dannevirke's CCTV security cameras, the last of which will arrive on May 10, taking the total to 48. Photo / Christine McKay

The scale of Dannevirke's CCTV security camera surveillance is vast, with more than 20 million images a day from the more than 40 cameras already installed here.

"We have 72 million images a day in the system, which gives us a sense of the scale of it," Peter Wimsett, the Tararua District Council's manager of strategy and district development, said.

District councillor David Roberts said the importance of the system along High St, down back alleys and at the Dannevirke Domain, could not be under-estimated.

"The cameras are deterring people because they know if they're going to be silly, they're going to get caught," he said.

Mr Wimsett said Dannevirke's CCTV security camera coverage was likely to be the most comprehensive, quality system in New Zealand for the area it covered.

"It's also been a big help for the Dannevirke Police in their crime investigation too."

Mr Wimsett was thrilled the system was doing its job.

"The message is getting out there, 'don't do crime in Dannevirke'," he said.

Sergeant Paul Adrian of the Dannevirke Police confirmed to the Dannevirke News, that the security cameras were proving to be a great tool for his team.

"We picked up images on CCTV cameras of the juveniles who burgled Arigato Mum's Sushi on High St in mid-March and we're also using security camera footage to help with our investigation into a break-in at Merrylees Hotel," he said.

However, Mr Adrian said sometimes capturing images of those involved in criminal activity was the easy part, identifying them could be more of a problem.

"It's too early to say if the cameras are a deterrent, but they're certainly a great thing for the police and this community," he said.

Tararua District Council chief executive Blair King said at a recent local authority shared services meeting the wider use of security cameras was discussed.

"A police command and control centre can use CCTV feeds to help them manage events," he said.

"That use also shows another benefit of Dannevirke's fibre optic cable."

The last cameras for Dannevirke arrive on May 10 and will bring the total to 48.

Meanwhile, with $21,000 available in Woodville, stage one of their CCTV camera system installation can begin with seven cameras initially.

Woodville Districts' Vision has a subsidy for the project and also committed some funds.