News - Select Mobile CCTV Vehicles tackle Ards Anti-Social Behaviour

Mobile CCTV vehicles supplied by Select Management and Security Ltd are helping to tackle - and deter - anti-social behaviour in Ards.

The van mounted cameras with specialist equipment to allow images to be recorded in situ, have been used periodically across the Ards area by Ards Borough Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team in the last number of months, targeting particular anti-social behaviour hot-spots and acting as a deterrent.

The Council was the first in Northern Ireland to use a non-police vehicle of this type and the innovative approach secured funding of over £3,000 from the Ards Community Safety Partnership to ensure the cameras can continue to be deployed on a monthly basis.

“Mobile CCTV cameras can be a very useful additional resource when we are working to address particular problem areas and we have used the system successfully, for example, to tackle youths causing annoyance in Kicubbin, Greyabbey and Newtownards,” said Colin Reid, Anti-Social Behaviour Team leader. “We are also very aware that the presence of the vehicle, which is high visibility and clearly identified, has a deterrent effect which can help stop anti-social behaviour issues arising in the first place and again, it has proved valuable in deterring vandalism and other anti-social behaviour at various locations, including play areas, open spaces and vacant land”.

Vice-Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Jim Fletcher, said:

“Tackling anti-social behaviour across the Borough has been a key priority for the Community Safety Partnership and we have funded a range of initiatives to address the issue. The provision of this mobile CCTV unit supports the work of the Ards Anti-social Behaviour Team and acts as deterrent to individuals committing offences, while also reassuring residents that action is being taken to address their concerns. We hope that this coordinated action will help ensure that the recently reported 29% drop in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour over the last three years continues”.

Select provides these vehicles as part of our Community Safety Unit, which works with public authorities across Northern Ireland.