A new CCTV system has been installed in seven towns across the Scottish Borders in a boost to local community safety and crime prevention.
The cameras – installed on a fibre optic network – have been placed in Duns, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Kelso, Melrose and Peebles, as Scottish Borders Council moves into the latest phase of its transformation into a ‘smart rural region’.
Edinburgh company Commsworld joined forces with IT giant CGI to deliver the technology, which is cloud-based and supports crime prevention through round-the-clock surveillance and remote monitoring.
It also provides real-time data to further support analysis of footfall and traffic, as well as public transport and delivery of other vital services to Scottish Borders communities.
Commsworld also worked locally with SPG, a Borders-based security and technology company, on installing the new CCTV system.
Cllr Euan Jardine, leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “The new public space CCTV system is a flagship commitment of this administration, and I am proud to see it delivered. From the outset, we made safety, resilience, and smarter services a priority and this investment proves that we are delivering on those promises.
“It is about more than crime prevention. This modern system will support our services with real-time data, help us plan and respond more effectively, and provide lasting benefits to communities right across the Borders. It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to modernising the region and making sure the Scottish Borders remains a safe, vibrant, and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.”
Chief Inspector Stuart Fletcher, local police commander for the Scottish Borders, added: “CCTV footage can play a vital role in detecting crime and helping to identify or eliminate suspects. It can also be a major deterrent to potential offenders. If you know you are being filmed, you are less likely to commit a crime. Footage can also be used to support missing person inquiries. We will use all available technology to ensure our communities are safe.”
Previously, Commsworld laid over 20km of fibre cabling to overhaul and upgrade fibre infrastructure, resiliency and capacity to enable gigabit connectivity to council offices and secondary schools.
As a result more than 6,200 pupils and their teachers benefited from a ‘next generation network’ capable of delivering speeds 500 times faster than the average UK broadband connection. Commsworld were tasked by CGI to extend the reach of this fibre to allow CCTV to be installed in each town.
Lyndsey Teaz, vice president, consulting services, CGI, said: “Commsworld works side by side with CGI to bring the superfast and highly resilient connectivity needed to run smart, innovative technology such as the new CCTV system in place throughout the Scottish Borders. As one of our most trusted partners, we look forward to continuing to work with both Commsworld and Scottish Borders Council to further boost the region’s smart capabilities.”
