Moray Council and Police Scotland have joined forces to update CCTV in towns across Moray.
Councillors approved £150,000 to replace all cameras, back office equipment and the installation of additional cameras in places identified as hotspots for anti-social behaviour, crime and missing persons.
The equipment is now operational in Elgin with Forres, Lossiemouth, Buckie and Keith set to benefit next.
The partnership allows for Moray Council to provide the equipment while Police Scotland undertake monitoring.
Speaking as Moray Council elected members toured the monitoring facility, Moray Council Convener, Cllr Marc Macrae, said:
“The uncomfortable truth for many is that CCTV is necessary and investing in it is essential.
“The partnership between Police Scotland and Moray Council allows us to roll this programme of upgraded cameras and equipment out, with the safety of Moray residents the main focus for both agencies.
“My hope is that it will act as a deterrent and will reassure people in Moray that we all take seriously our role in keeping people safe.”
Chief Inspector Simon Reid, Area Commander said:
“The recent upgrade to the CCTV equipment in Elgin, and now ongoing across Moray, is welcomed.
“This project has seen the replacement of cameras, monitoring equipment and increased CCTV coverage across Moray.
“Police use of public space CCTV by our experienced operators here in Elgin, is not just as a responsive tool to evidence crimes that may have occurred but critically to deter or allow us to proactively respond to prevent these taking place in the first place.
“We further routinely use CCTV to search, trace and locate often vulnerable individuals within our communities such as missing people.
“Working with Moray Council, this upgrade greatly enhances our ability to collectively keep Moray one of the safest communities to live and work in the country.”
