I AM disappointed that Mr Howitt (Have Your Say, May 23) feels that Bournemouth council does not listen when it comes to providing CCTV coverage in the town.

Over the last two or three years the council has invested more than £2 million in replacing and upgrading the entire CCTV system.

There are now more than 140 state-of-the-art digital cameras watching over the most vulnerable parts of the town with all information being fed back into a brand new control room at Bournemouth Police Headquarters.

Careful consideration is given when deciding where to locate the cameras, and extensive research of crime patterns dictates where they will be located.

It goes without saying that it is impractical to have every street corner in the town covered by CCTV as the cost would be prohibitive.

However, if Mr Howitt cares to get in touch with his safer neighbourhood team, which covers West Hill car park (01202 222222), I am certain they will give the area as much coverage as possible to help reduce any incidents of antisocial behaviour and crime that is occurring.


Cllr DAVID SMITH, cabinet member for the community, Bournemouth council