Walsall CCTV cameras out of action 3,000 times in JUST three years

The cameras which aim to help crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour turned off because of faults between June 2012-2015.

A review will now be carried out into the 91 fixed cameras monitored through Walsall Council's CCTV service every day of the year, along with 28 which are re-deployable.

Options could include investment by the council or to commission a third party to manage the system.

It is estimated each fixed camera, of which almost half are in and around Walsall town centre, costs in the region of £1,500 per year.

More than 15,000 incidents were captured by cameras which are also located in Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall over the three year period. These included public order, anti-social behaviour, robbery, theft and drugs.

But there were was the equivalent of 2,967 days lost due to a camera fault, of which 1,480 were in Bloxwich, according to a new report. The most used camera was in The Bridge area of Walsall town centre.

Council bosses have admitted some equipment is outdated but such cameras play an important role in the community. The recently appointed Tory council have said the review will push ahead.

Deputy leader, councillor Adrian Andrew, said: "We're continuing the review of our CCTV system, rightly started by the previous administration, because quite simply, some of it is outdated and in need of an upgrade.

"It's been recognised that we have a small number of cameras with long-term faults and we're looking to put this right in addition to ensuring that we have a system that is technologically up to date and which continues to be effective for our communities.

"The council maintains a fully comprehensive maintenance contract for all of its fixed CCTV cameras which operate 365 days a year and includes both scheduled maintenance and call outs for repairs."

Councillor Andrew said they wanted to continue to deter crime.

"In addition to the fixed CCTV cameras, we have a number of mobile units that are deployed in areas not covered by a fixed camera to reassure and protect our residents.

"CCTV acts to capture and deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, identify offenders and is an important safety tool used by both the council and its partners to keep our communities safe."