New cameras to keep Hetton safe

Four new cameras are now active in Hetton as the HALO project continues its work to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the area.

The HALO project (Hetton Altogether Linking Opportunities) has been granted up to £51,000 from the Home Office's Safer Streets Fund to install cameras in the area that will deter ASB and environmental crime.

HALO is seeing the City Council and a range of partners, including Northumbria Police, Gentoo, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue (TWF&R) working more closely together for the community. It follows a similar and successful project called SARA in Southwick - Southwick Altogether Raising Aspirations.

Hetton's crime and anti-social behaviour work includes moves to tackle crime including motorbike disorder, building up community engagement and resilience, and the CCTV investment.

These new cameras will be mounted to street columns in identified hot spots but are portable and can be relocated where necessary.

Councillor Claire Rowntree is Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, Cabinet Member for Clean Green City and a Hetton ward councillor.

She said: "We are a listening council, and we will continue to work with residents on tackling the issues that we know are important to them. Extra CCTV cameras will act as a deterrent to offenders and help us to prosecute anyone who breaks the law by providing evidence.

"If you know or see problems around Hetton whether it is littering or fly-tipping or other criminal activity it is always important to report them and this can always be done confidentially."

Sergeant Martyn Scott, of Northumbria Police, said: "This is brilliant news for the area - and I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact in the community.

"CCTV is a vital resource to policing as it helps us to keep people safe as well as to detect, deter and disrupt criminality on a daily basis.

"We will continue to use this technology in collaboration with our partners to protect those who may be vulnerable and deliver effective justice through the crucial evidence it so often provides."

You can follow HALO on their LetsTalkHALO Facebook page to keep up to date with its work.