BARNSLEY Council is set to spend more than £300,000 on enhancing its CCTV service whilst also doubling the number of town centre wardens in a bid to ‘stamp out crime’ in the area.
A total of £150,000 has been earmarked for the CCTV scheme which will begin next year.
It’s hoped that the scheme will continue to enhancing the experience in the town centre making it safer and more welcoming for residents.
The aim is to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, whilst also improving footfall and public confidence in council and police workers.
The scheme will start in April and be completed by September 2025.
A report states: “Barnsley Council has an extensive CCTV network across its town centre and principal towns which is monitored by South Yorkshire Police.
“The police CCTV suite does not always provide one operator per area due to staffing and demand which unfortunately means that due to demand there could be times when the Barnsley CCTV network cannot be actively monitored.
“In addition to the town centre and principal towns cameras, the council also has several re-deployable cameras and holds responsibility for The Glassworks shopping centre CCTV system.
“We want to create a local, ad-hoc CCTV monitoring room within a council building which would allow the use of CCTV software to view all the above cameras.”
Meanwhile, £80,000 has been earmarked for both 2025/26 and 2026/27 in a bid to keep the town centre safer by doubling the number of wardens on its streets.
There are currently two dedicated wardens on an evening and on weekends.
It’s hoped the scheme will prevent antisocial behaviour whilst also reduce reoffending.
“The main objective of the initiative is to improve public safety and perceptions of safety, specifically in the evening and at weekends in Barnsley town centre,” the report said.
“In doing so the initiative would aim to contribute towards a safe, inclusive, attractive and welcoming family-first town centre.
“This proposal would increase the number of dedicated evening and weekend town centre wardens from two to four.
“This would facilitate a more visible service during key hours of the day.”
It’s hoped the scheme would also make the town centre a safer space for women and girls.
“It is evidenced that bad experiences of crime and antisocial behaviour deter people from coming into the town centre during the evening,” it added.
“The wardens’ initiative will provide a very visible presence empowered to tackle problems in real time and make the area feel safer and look better.
“It would also provide enhanced capacity to provide capable guardianship in the town centre.
“It will also support other initiatives to improve the safety and experience of specific groups, including being beacons for the Walk Safe app to support women and girls.”
