About us
Wigan Council are committed to achieving the highest standards, Risk Management and CCTV section (formerly Security Services), manage the design, installation, servicing, repairs and day to day maintenance of intruder alarm, access control and CCTV systems across Wigan borough.
Scope of Services
Risk Management & CCTV section operates 24/7 365 days a year, the section is responsible for 663 CCTV cameras borough-wide in 7 town centres, we manage the contract for alarm monitoring and key holder provided by subsidiaries of Chubb, out of hours emergency calls, design and consultancy, installation, servicing, repairs and day to day maintenance for intruder alarms, access control and CCTV systems as well as risk management advice.
Closed Circuit Television
Introduction
CCTV was first used in the borough as a effective tool to prevent crime. Developments in technology has expanded the role of CCTV to play a key part in the detection and investigation of criminal and anti-social behaviour in the borough.
History
The CCTV system originally started with two cameras covering the night club area of Wigan. With the help of Government and council funding, Wigan developed an innovative camera system, the siting of 4 static cameras and 1 pan tilt zoom camera provides a 360° overview of a location with the ability to focus on a incident using the PTZ camera without losing any periphery incidents. The system has now expanded to cover the town centres of Wigan, Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Hindley, Golborne, Ince Bar, Mornington Road, Norley Hall and Ashton-in-Makerfield.
The way forward
New technology has improved the effectiveness and efficiency of the service as the system moved from VHS tape based recordings to digital hard drive recordings improving the data storage facilities. All recordings are stored locally and over written after 31 days. They can be accessed remotely, allowing any incidents to be downloaded and stored onto compact disc or digital versatile disc. This can be achieved without the necessity to stop recordings due to the equipment’s continuous archive facility. Highly trained, dedicated, fully vetted officers proactively monitor all CCTV to create a safe and secure environment for all members of the public who live, work and visit the borough.
Partnership
The Section actively work in partnership with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Local Authority Risk Management Groups, Retail Security Teams, Pub Watch Groups, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport. The partnership work together to support each other in achieving the overall aims and objectives to reduce crime and the fear of crime in the borough
Rapid Deployment Cameras
Digital rapid deployment cameras are also in use and aid the partnership and council departments investigating crime, civil offences as well as evidence gathering to aid prosecution. Other examples of how technology helps identify offenders include Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue in arson attacks and hoax calls and our own departments in anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and off road motor cycling.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition may be integrated into our Public Space Surveillance schemes or as a bolt on to the rapid deployment cameras in the future.
Public Access
The public do not have access to the CCTV control centre but can request data held on them by completing a subject data request form. This data can then be viewed outside of the CCTV control centre.
If you require help completing these forms please ring the number below for assistance.
