CCTV in Enniskillen may only have been operating from May this year but, already the cameras have logged 313 incidents, ranging from criminal damage, stabbings, road collisions to medical emergencies.
A number of arrests have been made following crime alerts from monitoring staff, numerous incidents of anti social behaviour have been nipped in the bud and those in trouble have been assisted.
Initial figures released by Fermanagh District Council show that the 313 incidents were logged in the CCTV monitoring room, varying from assaults (including a stabbing), to road traffic collisions, and from medical emergencies to theft.
Public disorder incidents (including nuisance, fighting and assaults, drinking in public, begging, etc) accounted for the largest number of incidents (240). In many cases, the CCTV monitoring staff observed the build-up to these incidents and alerted police who in turn have responded and defused the situation. Monitoring room staff have also been able to capture valuable evidence in relation to the incidents and offenders.
In one of the more serious offences, a stabbing, which occurred in Enniskillen recently, CCTV was invaluable in identifying the offender. On Thursday, 17 July, footage from one of the CCTV cameras enabled police to identify a man involved in a stabbing in Belmore Street. The quality of the image captured led to the culprit's arrest several days later.
The investigating police officer involved referred to the images as, 'solid gold'.
The monitoring room staff have also been in a position to direct medical assistance to these and other types of incident. During the period, 14 medical emergencies were identified and, while some had arisen from incidents such as assaults in one case, monitoring room staff identified an unconscious individual who otherwise would have gone unnoticed. They were able to summon assistance for that person.
Motoring offences have also been detected on the camera system (58 during the period in question).
In one case, vehicle occupants were observed squirting water pistols at members of the public. This subsequently resulted in a road traffic collision. Another incident involved a motorist who reported his vehicle being 'cut up' by another in the town centre. CCTV footage was able to substantiate the complainant's account and the offender has been processed through the Criminal Justice system.
There were 17 incidents of theft/shop lifting dealt with by the monitoring room. Among those arrested was a young female who was observed stealing a mobile phone from the pocket of an extremely drunk man who was asleep in Forthill Street. Police were contacted and were able to arrest the female straightaway. In another case, staff observed a male climbing over the wall of a business premises. Police were called and the individual detained.
Thanks to CCTV, detections for criminal damage have been high because of the ability to identify offenders, and 17 incidents were recorded during the relevant period.
In one instance, in High Street, a male was observed kicking the wing mirror off a parked vehicle. The individual was detained by door staff until the arrival of police. The male was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to two parked cars. The offender subsequently admitted the offence.
The investigating officer in this case observed, 'the CCTV footage is excellent and clearly shows the male causing the damage'.
In another incident, a young man was observed kicking the window of a financial premises. Police were alerted and the individual arrested. A similar case of criminal damage involved the breaking of the window in a food outlet on 12 July. The standard of the CCTV footage was such that the individual concerned was identified by the police and has been already processed through the Courts.
The town's CCTV system has proven just how effective it is in protecting the public. The
Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins said these early successes 'clearly demonstrate the contribution that CCTV makes in reducing crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour'.
"It is already providing reassurance for the public, additional security for the business community and is sending out a very clear message to criminals that they should expect to be caught and prosecuted. I congratulate everyone involved in managing this scheme, and in helping to make Enniskillen a safer place to live, work and socialise." Chief Inspector Alywin Barton, PSNI Area Commander for Fermanagh commented: "The value of CCTV to the Enniskillen community is highlighted by these cases. It is the victims and wider community who have the CCTV operators and systems to thank for providing them with justice and an increased sense of security."
