New CCTV cameras for Lisburn

THE Manager of Atlas Women's Centre in Sloan Street has welcomed the introduction of new CCTV cameras in the area and says she hopes they will put an end to the series of break-ins the centre has suffered.

Atlas has been broken into four times in recent years but manager Gay Sherry-Bingham hopes the new camera in Sloan Street, one of three new cameras in the city, will deter the criminals.

"This camera was really badly needed," she said. "We have been broken into four times and have spent a lot of money on repairs and improved security measures but we cannot keep doing that.

"These break-ins are affecting people in the community and I hope the new camera will deter anyone from breaking in again."

The funding of three new cameras, which are to be installed at Seymour Street, Sloan Street and Longstone Street, has been provided by the NIO, with the CCTV system in the city being operated by Lisburn Commerce Against Crime, of which Lisburn City Council is a major funder.

The NIO agreed to fund the new cameras following a spate of burglaries in the city during recent months and representations by MLA Jeffrey Donaldson.

"I am pleased that following representations to the NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins he has now seen fit to approve these three additional cameras," said Mr Donaldson. "I am particularly pleased to see a camera in the County Down side of the city, given the high levels of break-ins in and around Sloan Street."

Councillor David Archer, one of the Directors of Lisburn Commerce Against Crime, thanked Mr Donaldson for helping to secure the cameras. "Given the recent spate of break-ins in and around the city centre I believe these three additional cameras will make a major contribution towards deterring burglars and detecting crime" he said.

The Mayor of Lisburn and Chairman of Lisburn City Centre Management, Councillor Allan Ewart, thanked all the funders and 'those behind the scenes for working together, to make this planned expansion of the current CCTV camera system by three cameras possible'.

"The expansion will enhance the capabilities of the existing CityWatch scheme, a crime prevention initiative operating in the Lisburn area and managed by LCAC" he said.

Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chairman of the Council's Economic Development Committee, added: "This upgrade will ensure a state-of-the art, fit for purpose CCTV system to provide peace of mind to retailers, residents and all visitors to the City Centre."

There is currently a 1milion network of CCTV cameras operated by CityWatch in Lisburn City Centre, Hillsborough, Dunmurry and Moira. Lisburn City Council significantly funds CityWatch with further funding provided by the local Public and Private Sectors.