New England police believe new CCTV cameras and lighting announced on Wednesday will deter criminals, and make it easier to catch offenders.
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"It's a wonderful step in the right direction," Inspector Roger Best said.
The new or improved systems will be installed around Armidale and Guyra trouble spots (including the Dumaresq Creeklands between the Armidale CBD and UNE), and linked back to a command centre at the police station.
Cameras, Inspector Best expected, will make those dangerous areas safer, as they have in the Armidale Mall. The shopping precinct used to be a place of anti-social issues, but CCTV has helped to stop unruly behaviour, because people are aware they're on camera.
Other crimes are committed on the spur of the moment, without thought. CCTV will help to solve crimes and identify offenders.
"CCTV plays more and more of a role in our investigations," Inspector Best said, "and any expansion is a good thing."
The current system had served the town well, he said, but is ageing. The camera is on a loop; while police can watch footage on a monitor, they have to wait for the camera to come round.
Inspector Best hopes police will be able to control the new system, zoom in, and get evidence of any incident.
"The functionality back at the police station will be great," he said.