CCTV system coverage goes live in Turriff

Turriff town centre has seen the switch on of a new CCTV network covering the main business and footfall areas.

Chair of Turriff Business Association Marj Chalmers confirmed that new CCTV cameras are now ‘live’ with the necessary signage installed and will be "beneficial to the safety and security of all members of the public."

The £34,000 close-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance system is now up and running providing round-the-clock coverage of the main thoroughfares in the town centre, linked directly to the main system in the local police station.

The installation of the CCTV project was initiated by Turriff Business Association and funded by Aberdeenshire Council through the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Grant Fund.

Turriff has well over 100 businesses situated in the town of which Turriff Business Association has a membership of approximately 65 businesses who pay an annual subscription to help pay towards this type of project.

CCTV coverage has been an item highlighted by both the local businesses and the community through public consultations via Planning for Real some years ago, and, again in the Turriff Local Action Plan 2019 initiated through Turriff and District Community Council’s Place Standard Conversation consultations.

Whilst Turriff is not a crime hotspot, this project will help to give businesses, visitors and the local community reassurances for their safety and wellbeing.

Local councillor Alistair Forsyth said: "I am supportive of the initiative that the Turriff Business Association has taken to promote and drive this project to completion.

"Several towns in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK have reaped the benefits of CCTV, improving security and wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.

"Turriff can pride itself in being added to this number.

"I am certain that Turriff will be an ever-better destination for locals and visitors alike, sound in the knowledge that their safety, health, and wellbeing is foremost in our minds.

"Turriff Business Association should be commended for their ability to work in partnership with Police Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council to keep Turriff safe and secure.”

Sergeant Richard Barnwell from the Formartine Local Policing Team said, “I am very pleased to have played a supporting role in this initiative, which has secured modern, high quality CCTV coverage for Turriff Town Centre.

"Turriff is an extremely safe place to live and work and the primary purpose of the system is to ensure that continues to be the case.

"The new system by its mere presence will assist in preventing and reducing all crime types in the area and provide local officers an excellent tool to assist in the detection of crimes that do occur.

"It is hoped that the system will reduce the fear of crime and make Turriff an even safer community to live and visit.”