Christchurch’s CCTV centre could be moved to Bournemouth

Currently based at Christchurch Police Station, members of the resources committee, will be presented with a number of options for the siting of the 41-camera operation.

The police station is due to be closed, with officers relocated to Christchurch fire station.

It is no longer open to members of the public.

The report recommends relocating the CCTV operation to the Civic Offices in Bridge Street.

Other options include relocating to Bournemouth control room, passing the system over to Dorset Police, terminating the operation completely and relocating it with the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

The system was upgraded in 2012 at a cost of £297,000.

The report says: "The police report that from February 1, CCTV was the informant on 162 occasions.

"Their reason for notifying police range from calls under Shopwatch for shoplifters and other town centre issues, such as graffiti (121), matters affecting the night time economy under Pubwatch (30), ANPR activity (4) and calls to anti-social behaviour with Saxon Square boy racers (7)."

Members are being asked to consider whether transferring the operation to Bournemouth would have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the system or if revenue was a key consideration in the move.

The impact on the reputation of the council and levels of crime are also a consideration as well as who benefits from the CCTV system - the police or the council.

And the issue of relocation costs will also under scrutiny, with Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, offering to pay 50 per cent to a maximum of £72,000.

The CCTV operation is operated by staff around 100 hours a week.

The Bargates site, which includes the police station, could be transformed into a development of homes, commercial units and public space.

Aster Homes was selected last year as the preferred bidder to transform the 4.74 acre site, which also houses the former magistrates court and car parking.