Mobile CCTV cameras the new visible face of policing
Force says Neighborhood Police Team Vehicles are designed to deter criminal behaviour.
Police are using some new toys in the 'hood - vans equipped with CCTV cameras.
The Bedfordshire force has two 'Big Brother' Neighbourhood Police Team Vehicles out and about in the county. One is covering Bedford and Kempston, while the other is on the beat in villages to the north and south of the towns, and further east in Biggleswade.
Based on Vauxhall Vivaro vans, they cost around £30,000 each and carry two CCTV cameras plus recording equipment.
Their job is to focus on crime hotspots like town centres, and help tackle violent crime and anti-social behaviour, working in tandem with networks of fixed cameras.
They will also hit the streets during the policing of major public events, such as the Bedford River Festival.
A force spokesman said: "People often forget that they are being watched by fixed cameras, but these mobile CCTV vehicles are highly visible and will be used to deter people from engaging in anti-social behaviour or committing offences such as criminal damage."
The CCTV vans are helping the new police Tasking Unit, based at the Greyfriars station, in its crackdown on summertime problems, such as nuisance youths.
Countywide use of the vans was highlighted in Bedfordshire Police Authority's annual policing plan for 2005-06 as a way of boosting the force's visible street presence.
25 August 2005
bedfordtoday
