5 January 2016

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

East Grinstead residents have the opportunity to improve the CCTV coverage in their town by sharing their views at a special consultation event on Saturday 9 January 2016.

Representatives from Sussex Police and Mid Sussex District Council’s Crime Prevention team will be at East Grinstead Library from 10.30am until 12 noon on 9 January to talk about the future of CCTV in the town centre and answer any questions local people may have.

The existing CCTV cameras in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath are in need of upgrading and Mid Sussex District Council, working in partnership with the local town councils, is considering the introduction of four additional CCTV cameras at the following locations:

• St John’s Park, Burgess Hill
• King George’s Field, East Grinstead
• Holtye Avenue, East Grinstead
• Victoria Park, Haywards Heath

Mid Sussex District Council is currently running a public consultation to ask local people what they think about the proposals and the current locations of CCTV cameras in each of the three towns, to make sure they are where they are needed most.

Monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by Sussex Police, they play a vital role in helping to prevent crime and disorder, reducing the fear of crime and increasing public safety for both residents and visitors.

“Our consultation has been running online for a few months now but we want to give East Grinstead residents the chance to talk with us face to face about what they think is the best use of CCTV cameras in our town,” said Councillor Norman Webster, Cabinet Member for Health and Community. “We’re really keen to know what people think so please come along and share your local knowledge with us.”

The Council carefully follows the Surveillance Code of Practice to ensure that all CCTV cameras are necessary, operated appropriately, do not negatively impact on the privacy of local people and are suitably located.

Residents that cannot attend the East Grinstead drop-in consultation event can still view all the information and comment online at www.midsussex.gov.uk/consultation. Anyone who would like a consultation form through the post should call 01444 477204 for a paper copy.