Residents and visitors in Stratford-upon-Avon may feel a little safer walking through town this month, thanks to a significant boost in security infrastructure. Stratford-on-Avon District Council has rolled out five new high-tech CCTV cameras designed to crack down on anti-social behaviour and serious crime in key problem areas.
The initiative is part of the Home Office’s “Safer Streets Scheme,” a funding pot allowing local police and councils to invest in practical crime prevention tools, from better lighting to behaviour-based programmes.
Where are they watching?
Unlike traditional fixed CCTV, these new units are mobile, meaning authorities can redeploy them rapidly to follow crime trends. The initial five locations were selected specifically because residents had raised concerns about safety in those areas.
The new cameras are currently covering:
- The Waterside Service Area: Covering the junction of Bridge Street, High Street, and Sheep Street.
- The Waterside: Specifically the busy pedestrian area near the RSC.
- Drayton Avenue: Near Holly Walk.
- Hodgson Road.
- Clopton Road.
Real-time Response
These aren’t just recording devices; they are a direct line to help. The footage feeds into a 24/7 monitoring service run by the District Council. Operators are in constant communication with Warwickshire Police, allowing them to guide officers to live incidents as they happen.
According to the Council, this setup allows for “early intervention,” potentially stopping arguments from escalating into violence. Beyond immediate safety, the high-quality footage provides crucial evidence for the courts, having already led to successful arrests and criminal charges since their installation in September 2023. In fact, operators have already utilized the cameras proactively more than 2,495 times.
A Partnership for Safety
The project is a collaborative effort involving the District Council, the County Council, and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
Councillor Natalie Gist, Portfolio Holder for Law & Governance, highlighted the peace of mind the technology offers:
“The CCTV service is invaluable in protecting residents and the addition of these cameras will hopefully make residents and businesses feel safer.”
This sentiment is backed by Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe, who secured the government funding. He noted that the technology works in tandem with “Operation Resolve,” which sees extra police patrols hitting town centre hotspots.
“This is a great example of how by working together in partnership we have been able to gain additional money from the Government to make a real difference on our streets,” said Seccombe.
Tackling Serious Issues
While the cameras effectively deter low-level nuisance, they are also aimed at much darker criminal elements. Councillor Dale Bridgewater, Chair of the Safer Warwickshire Partnership Board, emphasized that this is about more than just petty theft.
“This is a step toward addressing serious issues that affect our communities, like county lines drug trafficking, anti-social behaviour, and violence against women and girls,” Bridgewater explained.
The District Council has previously utilized Safer Streets funding to secure areas around the train station and the Recreation Ground, continuing a long-term strategy to ensure Stratford remains a safe place to live and visit.
