CCTV
Dartford's CCTV system became operational in October 1996 with 21 cameras covering the Town Centre. Within the first year of operation, the police reported a 33% reduction in crime.
Following a successful Home Office bid, the system was then extended to include A226, Temple Hill and Alamein Gardens. All 44 cameras were pan, tilt and zoom and recorded 24 hours a day.
Those placed in residential areas have been adapted with privacy screening so that they are not able to look into people's windows. Dartford CCTV Control Room was also the first in Kent to move to complete digital recording in the spring of 2006.
As a fully generic system, the scheme now boasts some 52 cameras with the most recent installations being 3 new Hi spec anti-vandal domes covering the newly developed Darenth Path Underpass.
As part of Dartford's Community Safety Unit and working closely with Kent Police Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police and the Retail Security Group DTAC, the aim is to reduce crime within the town centre and provide a safer environment for residents, visitors and traders.
The Control room is linked by radio to both Kent Police HQ in Maidstone and DTAC's Shop Safe radio scheme, providing a vital link to combat crime and anti social behaviour in the town.
CCTV also has access to three mobile rapid deployment cameras as well as a mobile CCTV camera van.