"400k CCTV boost

A £2.6 million network of CCTV cameras in Maidenhead could receive a major upgrade months after the number of cameras was almost doubled.

The number of CCTV cameras watching people’s every move in the town rose from 58 to 104 in the last year.

The new Sainsbury’s development bought and paid for an extra 42 cameras in Hines Meadow car park and four in the piazza, which are monitored by the council.

The Royal Borough is now looking at adding more cameras across Maidenhead and upgrading to a digital system and would need to set aside about £400,000.

Ken Amery, control room services manager, said: “CCTV actually looks after the vulnerable as well, so it is not just for catching criminals. It is a drinker on their way home who is potentially a victim. It is people on their own, people who are obviously ill for whatever reason, CCTV looks after them as well.”

The council says there has been a drop in the number of arrests as a result of CCTV across the borough.

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