Mole Valley Council Approves Record-Only CCTV Rollout

A local authority in Surrey has given its approval for the implementation of record-only closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems throughout the district. Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) stated that this decision aligns with the sentiments of residents, which were gathered during a consultation conducted in late 2023. Findings from the consultation indicated that CCTV is perceived as a deterrent against criminal activity, and there was support for the ongoing availability of cameras. Councillor Keira Vyvyan-Robinson commented: “As a result of the consultation, we have committed to investing in the continued provision of public realm CCTV in Mole Valley.” The cabinet of MVDC reached a unanimous agreement to endorse the rollout during a meeting held on 22 October. MVDC has been voluntarily responsible for the daily operation of Mole Valley’s CCTV system ever since Surrey Police moved out of Reigate Police Station in 2023, following the detection of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) within the structure. The district currently has 51 cameras situated in 38 different locations. Surrey Police serves as the primary user of these cameras and maintains access to them as needed. The council indicated that £100,000 has been provisionally set aside in the 2024/25 Budget, in addition to annual operational expenses of £40,000, for the purpose of upgrading the current cameras. They further stated that the subsequent phase involves MVDC initiating a procurement process aimed at broadening coverage throughout the district.