Camberley Together Against Crime

Making Camberley town centre safer

In October 2009, a new security initiative to tackle crime and fear of crime in Camberley Town Centre was launched.

The scheme, entitled Camberley Together Against Crime (CTAC), incorporates a radio network, information sharing and improved communication between town centre users. It is led by the Camberley Town Centre Partnership and supported by Surrey Police and the Safer Surrey Heath Partnership. It enables all shops and businesses who are part of CTAC to communicate with each other in real time via a town radio network which, crucially, links directly to the police and CCTV.

The aim is for every retailer in Camberley to become a member of CTAC, which means in the event of an offence being committed, not only can information be immediately communicated around the town, but if the offender has a previous conviction, their presence in a member's premises will immediately be communicated to others on the radio network.

A key component in CTAC is the first class CCTV facility in Woking, with its coverage of Camberley Town Centre being a major tool in the town's fight against crime. The CCTV operators work very closely with the town centre policing unit to ensure a rapid response where necessary.

Shelly Ford Town Centre Manager said: "This investment in making Camberley an even safer town in which to shop, to visit and to work, is all thanks to the commitment and team work of the local retailers, police and CCTV."

On behalf of the Safer Surrey Heath Partnership, which funded the scheme's start-up costs, Borough Inspector James Norbury, said: "The Partnership welcomes this new initiative for Camberley town centre, which unites a wide range of partners to increase awareness of low level disorder and reduce crime. Partners are confident the CTAC scheme will improve perceptions of the town as a safe and enjoyable place to be - and reassure local residents and retailers that we take their community safety concerns seriously."